De Aar male sentenced to life imprisonment for raping a disabled woman
The SAPS Management in the Northern Cape welcomed the life sentence handed down to Xolani Plaatjies by the De Aar Regional Court.
The court heard that on Friday, 10 March 2023 at 23:30 in Barcelona, Sunrise, the 25-year-old disabled victim was walking home with the accused when he dragged the victim into a vacant house, forced her into the toilet and raped her at knifepoint.
On Thursday, 16 March 2023, the accused was arrested and bail was successfully denied and the accused remained in custody since his arrest.
On Tuesday, 13 February 2024, the De Aar Regional Court convicted and sentenced 37-year-old Xolani Plaatjies to life imprisonment for rape. He was declared unfit to possess a firearm and his name is to be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.
The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola welcomed the sentencing and applauded the commitment of the investigation officer, Detective Sergeant IIze Fan who ensured that justice was served to our victims of gender-based violence and femicide
