By Teboho Moloi
BLOEMFONTEIN -The Bloemfontein regional court has sentenced Willem Ludeke (27) of Ladybrand to a direct life imprisonment term for rape of a minor and nine years for counts including , sexual assault, exposing himself before the minor, and fondling his genitals before the minor.
Willem had raped the victim for six years until 2023 when he was arrested.
His arrest follows the victim speaking out in August 2023, when she was nine years in Life Orientation lesson at school where her teacher told them about sexual abuse. She, then reported to her mother that her cousin was doing some things to her.
During the trial she testified in court that the accused raped her on numerous occasions when she was three until nine years old while also exposing himself to another child.
Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Mmako Mophiring said Ludeke was charged with rape, sexual assault, exposing himself before the minor, and fondling his genitals before a minor.
He was found guilty on all four charges and sentenced to life imprisonment for rape and three years each on the other three counts.
“Crimes against women and children can’t be tolerated, and we definitely encourage more education on sexual assaults and that victims should continue breaking the silence for perpetrators to be brought to book,” said Mophiring.
The matter was investigated by Detective Sergeant Olibile of the Ladybrand Family, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit.
