A Zimbabwean man, Tinus Chimidzi (35), has been sentenced to three life sentences for raping three minors in the Modimole area, south of Polokwane, South Africa.
According to a media statement issued by the South African Police Services (SAPS), Chimedzi, who was living in an informal settlement, sent his victims to seek food assistance after abusing them.
“The Modimol Regional Court on Wednesday issued an aggravated three-year prison sentence to a 35-year-old accused who raped three underage girls in 2022,” SAPS said in the statement.
“The court heard that on 31 May 2022, the accused Tinus Chimedzi (35), originally from Zimbabwe, raped the three victims aged between 10 and 11, and then sent them to a local facility to enable the victims to order food. In an appendix Modimolle 13 Jasper informal settlement.
The founder of a victim empowerment facility who was present, became suspicious when Chimedzi left and interviewed the victims.
The girls opened up to her and told her about the rape incidents.
He added: “The police were immediately notified and visited the crime scene. Rape cases were opened. The suspect was positively linked to three rape cases and was arrested,” SAPS said in the statement signed by its spokesman in Limpopo Province, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba.
Chimedze’s sentences will run synchronously. Newsday
