The Mossel Bay Regional Court sentenced Goodman Nomga to life imprisonment for rape, five years for sexual assault, and three years for theft today, 20 June 2023.
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In May 2004, the four-year-old victim was on her way to school when the accused picked her up along the road and said he would buy her chips. The accused then took the victim into a bush where he brutally assaulted and raped her.
‘The case was assigned to Warrant Officer Sedrick Marks of the Mossel Bay FCS Unit who started his investigation with no leads to solve the case,’ explained police spokesman Sergeant Wesley Twigg. ‘DNA was discovered on the underwear of the victim and was sent for testing.’
‘Two years later, Warrant Officer Marks arrested a suspect on a charge of rape in an unrelated matter and the DNA results revealed that this is the same suspect who raped the four-year-old girl.’
Twigg said that Marks used the evidence at his disposal and presented it before court. ‘The accused was found guilty on the charges against him.’
‘The court also ordered that the Goodman Nomga’s name be written in the register of sex offenders.’
‘The Western Cape police management lauded the investigating officer and the prosecuting team for making sure that a criminal land behind bars.’
Meanwhile, in an unrelated matter over the long weekend, the Mossel Bay K-9 unit, in collaboration with the South African Police Service (SAPS), in Herbertsdale, arrested a man in his late 40s and confiscated 39 and a half mandrax, 9 packs of dagga and 12 packs of tik.
‘I commend man’s best friend and their handlers for already showing the type of impact they will have in the area,’ said Minister Reagen Allen. ‘Criminals should be deeply concerned, as their illicit items and activities will be sniffed out. There will be no place for them to hide.’
‘I am looking forward to officially launching this K-9 unit in the area in less than a month’s time.’
‘As the Western Cape Government, we want to create a safer province, and this investment clearly demonstrates this commitment. Our aim is to achieve similar and greater successes as we are currently experiencing in the Swartland and Overstand municipal areas,’ he added.
‘As this unit commences with its operations, I urge the residents of Mossel Bay and surrounding areas to work with them, so that the criminal element can be removed from our communities.’
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Picture: Unsplash/ Jeffrey Riley