The young girl was lured to her death with the promise of sweets.
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A man has been sentenced to two life terms in the Lenasia Regional Court in Gauteng for the rape and murder of an 11-year-old girl.
Jorge Tivane, 21, a Mozambican, pleaded guilty to the murder and rape on July 3, 2025, for the incident which took place in Kliptown.
According to evidence before the court, Tivane was identified by members of the community and arrested by the police after it emerged he was the last person seen walking with the young girl where her body was later discovered.
The incident took place on December 19, 2022.
Investigations led by Sergeant Mofokeng from Kliptown Police Station revealed that the 11-year-old was last seen walking with the accused towards a veld. Her body was later discovered strangled to death.
DNA evidence recovered from a piece of clothing found on the deceased’s body positively linked Tivane to the crime.
In his plea explanation, Tivane admitted to luring the 11-year-old girl into the bushes with the promise of sweets. He raped her and then strangled her to death with a piece of clothing.
During sentencing, State Prosecutor Tumi Maunye emphasised the brutal and premeditated nature of the offence, noting that the victim was a vulnerable minor with mental challenges.
He highlighted the profound and unending trauma inflicted on the victim’s family and the accused’s lack of remorse, calling for the maximum prescribed sentences.
Tivane was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and life imprisonment for rape.
The provincial spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Magaboke Mohlatlole, welcomed the sentencing.
“The NPA remains committed to prosecuting crimes against vulnerable members of society and ensuring justice for victims of gender-based violence and child abuse,” Mohlatlole said.
IOL