The Acting Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Crime Detection, Brigadier Nicky Mills welcomed the collective 48 year sentence handed down to rapist Willem Oliphant (20) on 20 May 2021 in the Circuit High Court in Colesburg for the heinous rape of an 8-year-old girl.
The accused was found guilty of raping the 8-year-old victim twice on 1 September 2019 in a gully in Philipstown at 21:00. The accused raped the victim twice and fled the scene. She was found later the same evening with serious injuries sustained during the rape which resulted in her receiving reconstructive surgery.
The accused was arrested on 4 September 2019 by the Investigating officer, Warrant officer Valery Booysen. He was found guilty and sentenced on 20 May 2021 to 24 years imprisonment on Count 1 for rape and 24 years imprisonment on count 2 for rape. Both sentences will run concurrently. His name was also recorder in the Sexual Offences register and he was found unfit to possess a firearm.
Brig Mills applauded W/O Booysen for the meticulous investigation of the case and also sent a strong message to perpetrators committing gender based violence, that if caught they will face the full might of the law because there is no place for them in society.
