Taung man sentenced to 18 years for 2019 rape and housebreaking

The Taung Regional Court has delivered a stern judgement against 42-year-old Legakwe Edwin Kanono, sentencing him to 18 years of direct imprisonment for the rape of a 25-year-old woman.

 The sentence, finalised this week, marks the conclusion of a case that dates back to May 2019 in Morokweng village.

The incident and conviction

The court heard that on the evening of 26 May 2019, the victim was visiting her uncle's home. After returning from a nearby shop, she encountered Kanono in the yard. Although she initially mistook him for her uncle, Kanono followed her into the house, where he assaulted and raped her.

Despite the victim's desperate attempts to flee, Kanono – who was known to both the victim and her family – pursued and overpowered her. He was arrested by the South African Police Service (SAPS) four days later, on 30 May 2019.

Legal proceedings and sentencing

While Kanono maintained a plea of “not guilty” throughout the trial, the State, led by Prosecutor Rebaona Mokgopa, presented a compelling case. The prosecution highlighted several aggravating factors:

• Violation of Safety: The attack occurred in a home, a space that should have been a sanctuary.
• Constitutional Breach: The act violated the victim's rights to dignity and bodily integrity.
• Lasting Trauma: The court acknowledged the severe psychological impact on the survivor.

The court handed down the following sentences, to run concurrently:

• 18 Years: Direct imprisonment for rape.
• R4,000 Fine or 2 Years: Imprisonment for housebreaking with intent to rape.

Additionally, Kanono has been officially entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders, barring him from future positions of trust involving vulnerable groups.

A commitment to justice

Dr. Rachel Makhari, Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, commended the collaborative efforts between the SAPS and the prosecution team.

“The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) reaffirms its unwavering commitment to prosecuting gender-based violence (GBV), particularly crimes committed against women and children,” the authority stated in an official release.

The judgement serves as a reaffirmation of the South African judiciary's duty to protect victims of sexual violence and ensure that perpetrators face the full might of the law.