‘Unremorseful’ man gets 18 years for rape of toddler

AN EASTERN Cape man who was convicted of the rape of a 15- month- old baby last month was sentenced in the Bhisho High Court.

Madala Peter Tshemese, 62, from Mdantsane, who is not related to the child, had reportedly pleaded not guilty in October 2018 to the rape.

The child was reportedly found in Tshemese’s bed by his wife in October 2015.

She found blood on the nappy and the romper buttons of the child were loosened. The nappy contained no semen.

Judge Belinda Hartle, who handed down the sentence, said there was an inconsistency of evidence between Tshemese’s plea of innocence and the evidence presented to her.

She was satisfied with the medical evidence that the victim had been sexually penetrated.

Judge Hartle stated that Tshemese did not take responsibility for his actions and was not remorseful.

She therefore sentenced him to 18 years’ imprisonment for the rape of the toddler.

Siyamthanda Ndlela, a women and children’s rights activist from the Total Shutdown Movement, said people needed to stop abusing women and children.

Ndlela applauded the Eastern Cape judiciary as they have been seeing the finalisation of gender- based violence and femicide cases. |