The South African Police Service management welcomed the life sentence handed down to Hans Appie (50) by the Taung Regional Court.
The accused was found guilty on 17 October 2023 on ten charges including, rape, attempted murder and robbery.
He was arrested after several rape cases were reported in Pampierstad where it is alleged that the accused was terrorising victims between 2013 and 2014. He targeted children on their way to school and women going to work in the early hours of the morning and returning late at night.
He raped and robbed the victims of money, clothes and cellphones.
DNA linked the accused to all the rape cases.
After the arrest of the accused in 2013, bail was successfully opposed by the investigating officer, Sergeant Sidwell Dastile and the case was transferred to the Taung regional court for trial.
On Thursday, 02 November 2023, the Taung Regional Court, sentenced him to a double life imprisonment.
Count 1: Rape – Life imprisonment.
Count 2: Rape – Life imprisonment.
Count 3: Attempted Murder, 15 years’ imprisonment.
Count 4: Attempted Murder, 15 years’ imprisonment.
Count 5: Attempted Murder, 10 years’ imprisonment.
Count 6: Attempted Murder, 10 years’ imprisonment.
Count 7: Robbery, 15 years’ imprisonment.
Count 8: Robbery, 15 years’ imprisonment.
Count 9: Robbery, 8 years’ imprisonment.
Count 10: Robbery, 8 years’ imprisonment.
The accused was also declared unfit to possess a firearm and his name will be entered in the National Register for Sexual offenders and the accused may not work with children.
The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola applauded the investigating officer Sergeant Sidwell Dastile for the meticulous investigation of all the cases which led to life-long incarnation of the accused.
