The Frances Baard District Magistrate’s Court has sentenced 22-year-old shopkeeper Kefaka Markos Masore to ten years’ direct imprisonment for the rape of a 24-year-old woman.
Masore was found guilty of assaulting the victim at his shop on the evening of Friday, 14 June 2024.
According to the evidence presented during the trial, the victim visited the shop at approximately 18:00 to make purchases. It is alleged that Masore ambushed her from behind and forced her into a bedroom located on the premises. He proceeded to sexually assault her while she screamed for help.
During the assault, the accused reportedly offered the victim R20,000 in an attempt to buy her silence. He continued to undress, at which point the victim managed to escape and run to her home.
Upon her arrival, she informed her parents of the incident, and a report was immediately made to the South African Police Service (SAPS). The case was assigned to Detective Sergeant Moreetsimang Mogakwe of the Kimberley Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit.
The accused was arrested on the same day as the incident. He was denied bail and remained in custody throughout the legal proceedings until the conclusion of the trial.
