The Rustenburg Regional Court on Thursday, sentenced Joseph Tokela Mokoka (56) to 30 years of direct imprisonment for raping his wife's niece in December 2015. The rape happened at his former mine clubhouse in Bleskop. The court was told that on December 23, Mokoka was requested by his wife to go and fetch the then 16-year-old teen, who is now 24 years old, in Pretoria so that she could spend the Christmas holidays with them.
It was further alleged that on their way back to Rustenburg, Mokoka started to make sexually inappropriate advances towards the young girl. The teenager ignored his advances. The following day, the wife went to work and left her husband, their children and the would-be victim behind. The children were sleeping at the time Mokoka's wife left for work in the morning.
While the wife was away at work, Mokoka then woke up and forced the girl to his bedroom. He then raped her in the bedroom. Later in the evening, after dinner, the wife realised something was wrong with the victim's behaviour and approached her. At that time, the victim was crying and on the phone with her mother when she broke the horrific news of being raped by his uncle.
The matter was immediately reported to the police, and Mokoka was arrested. After a lengthy and challenging trial, Mokoka, who was on bail during trial, was finally convicted. After being found guilty, he was sentenced to 30 years of direct imprisonment.
The Acting Bojanala Platinum Sub-District 2 Commissioner, Brigadier Mamotsamai Ntoagae, congratulated Sergeant Mmathapelo Sebogodi (Family, Child Protection and Sexual Offenses Unit) for being tenacious and yet very professional during the investigation and the lengthy trial. "The SAPS is committed to tirelessly pursuing justice for the victim, and those who commit such unspeakable acts will face the full might of the law," said Brigadier Mamotsamai Ntoagae.
