Man who tried to bribe young rape victim sentenced to 20 years in prison

A Northern Cape man’s attempt to silence his victim did not work.

Upington District Court sentenced a 40-year-old man to 20 years in prison for raping a 14-year-old girl in 2021.

After committing the crime, the man paid the young man a small amount of money, but eventually the truth came out.

Weekly bride promise

Lucky Galanula was arrested after information was shared by a friend of the victim.

After arriving home on December 4, 2021, Galanula was called by the victim to help her open the front door.

ALSO READ: War against femicide: Almost half of murder investigations fail to identify perpetrators

His parents were not at home, and with the help of his neighbor, the old man began to have sexual intercourse.

The girl refused, but the man pressured her and raped her twice.

Threatening the girl not to tell anyone, he gave her R50 and said he would give her R200 every Friday as long as she kept the secret.

The victim told his secret to his friend

Galanula was arrested after the order was forwarded to the victim’s father by his friend.

“The next morning, her friend saw that she was crying and very emotional, and the victim informed her friend that the defendant had forced himself on her.” Northern Cape NPA spokesman Mojalefa Senokoatsane.

The victim’s father reported the incident to the police and Galanula was charged with rape.

ALSO READ: Activists call for greater focus on gender-based violence and femicide

While arguing for a harsh sentence, the prosecutor said the destruction of the girl’s childhood should be the top concern.

“The defendant not only raped this innocent child, but also murdered her soul because she was not the cheerful, energetic young girl she was before the incident,” Senokoatsane said.

Galanula was thus sentenced to 20 years’ direct imprisonment on 22 November.

The NPA believes that the successful prosecution of these GBVF cases will provide some justice and consequence to the victims and their families and will remove violent criminals from our streets,” Senokoatsane concluded.

NOW READ: “This is a huge relief,” rape victim says after court declares parts of Sexual Offenses Act unconstitutional