While describing the rape of a teenager in Fitchat Street, near Mary Waters High School, as grossly inhuman and despicable, the judge sentencing 19-year-old Jamie Goba for his part in the attack said there were several reasons for deviating from the prescribed minimum life sentence and on Friday instead sentenced him to 18 years in prison.
While describing the rape of a teenager in Fitchat Street, near Mary Waters High School, as grossly inhuman and despicable, the judge sentencing 19-year-old Jamie Goba for his part in the attack said there were several reasons for deviating from the prescribed minimum life sentence and on Friday instead sentenced him to 18 years in prison.
Jamie Goba, 19, was convicted in the high court in Grahamstown on charges of rape, two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, after he pleaded guilty on all charges.
He and three companions raped the teenager and robbed her and her male companion in a deserted house in Scott's Farm, last year.
Acting Judge Zolile Dukada cited Goba's intellectual ability, his age and the fact that Goba was a first-time offender as mitigating factors.
He also said he believed Goba had shown remorse by pleading guilty to all the charges and consequently had not wasted the court's time. He said, “Letters of apology to the complainants written on behalf of the accused by his counsel, and signed by the accused have been handed in, and there's no evidence that such apology has been rejected so far.”
However, Dukada said a long prison-term would nevertheless be proper and just. “That will bring home to the accused the gravity and seriousness of what he did. It will serve as a deterrent to others, it meets the legitimate interests of the society in relation to retribution and the protection of women,” explained Dukada.
He described the offences as grossly inhuman, despicable, abominable and uncalled for. “The complainant was a 19-year-old girl, in the prime of her life as a woman. The rape has left a scar in her dignity, for rape by itself is dehumanising and degrading,” said Dukada.
Judge Dukada sentenced Goba to18 years for the rape, eight years each for the two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, and two years for assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm. The sentences will run concurrently.
The other three who took part in the attack, Christo Bosch, 19, Deon Walters, 25 and Justin Goba, 21, are to be sentenced in September.
