Life sentence for child rapist

THE NORTHERN Cape police have welcomed the life sentence handed down to John Muller, 49, by the Kuruman Regional Court for raping a minor. Muller was sentenced earlier this week.

The incident dates back to October 26, 2017 when, at about 4.20pm, the accused met a 12-yearold girl in Bankara Village, Kuruman, and asked her to accompany him to a tuck shop.

On the way to the tuck shop he dragged her into the veld and raped her.

He then assaulted her before taking her to his shanty where he raped her again.

The victim's mother and members of the local Community Police Forum (CPF) started looking for the girl and found her in the suspect’s shanty.

The suspect was immediately arrested with the assistance of the police.

Muller was found guilty on a charge of rape and sentenced to life imprisonment.

The provincial commissioner of the Northern Cape, Lieutenant-general Koliswa Otola, condemned the senseless act and commended Captain Caren Nel from the Kuruman Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit for her “meticulous investigation” that led to the life sentence.

She also applauded the CPF for the role it played, which led to the apprehension and arrest of the accused and helped in ensuring that the accused received a life sentence for the heinous crime.

Otola noted that this was especially significant at a time when the 16 Days of Activism for no Violence against Women and Children campaign was being observed.