Elrico Bradley Leroy Hartebees (30), from Niekerkshoop in the Northern Cape, has been sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment after the Regional Court in Griekwastad found him guilty of rape.
The incident occurred on 24 November 2023. The victim was walking to visit her boyfriend when she was attacked from behind by an unknown man. According to testimony, the accused pushed the victim to the ground. She screamed for help before losing consciousness and was raped.
Two passersby heard the victim’s cries and intervened at the scene. They identified the accused and notified the police.
A case of rape was registered at the Niekerkshoop Police Station. The investigation was assigned to Detective Constable Dineo Mogaladi of the Prieska Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit.
The accused was arrested following a medical examination of the victim. He appeared in court multiple times and pleaded not guilty. Following investigations by Detective Constable Mogaladi and testimony from the complainant and two witnesses, the court convicted Hartebees on the charge of rape.
The court sentenced him to 15 years’ imprisonment and declared him unfit to possess a firearm.