Upington man gets 20 years for raping teenager

BENIDA PHILLIPS STAFF REPORTER

THE UPINGTON Regional Court handed down a 20-year prison sentence to a man, Velile Swartz, who was convicted of raping an 18-year-old woman.

Upington police spokesperson Sergeant Omphile Masegela said the incident occurred in 2017.

“On January 10, 2017, at about 10pm, the 18-year-old woman was on her way home from the squatter camp when she was attacked by Swartz. He pulled a knife on the victim and threatened her, and then dragged her to the nearby school premises where he raped her,” said Masegela.

“Swartz was sentenced on Monday, May 3, 2021.”

Masegela added that the investigating officer was commended for the arrest and for his part in securing the conviction and sentence.

“The police management in the ZF Mgcawu District commended Captain Koos van der Heever for the meticulous investigation that secured the sentencing,” he said.