File
The High Court sitting in Makhanda on Thursday sentenced 55-year-old Johan Apools to 23 years direct imprisonment after he raped a six-year-old girl on 28 September 2022.
Apools audaciously raped the little girl in his car in bushes behind the Somerset East clinic and was spotted by a passer-by who reported the incident to police.
He was found guilty of the heinous crime on Wednesday, 29 March 2023.
The child's mother, who cannot be named to protect the youngster's identity, told Algoa FM News on Friday that she welcomed the sentence and also thanked the Somerset East community for supporting the family during this difficult time.
Meanwhile, the trial of another alleged child rapist, Lukas Rudman (65), who has been charged with raping and sexually assaulting five young girls – also in Somerset East – is continuing in the Makhanda High Court.
