A Free State rapist who prepared food for his victims, aged 13 and 14, and made them eat before putting socks in their mouths and raping them, has been given two life sentences.
The Welcome Regional Court has found Charles Matthias Titus, 44, guilty of multiple charges following the rape of two minor victims he lured away from his friends.
According to Free State police spokesperson Sergeant Palesa Thabana, the two girls were watching a netball match in an open field at the Dubai squatter camp in Bronville on August 24, 2019, when Titus lured them away.
Thabana said Titus asked if they were going to buy him something at a local tuck shop.
“Upon their return from the shop, they went to the suspect’s hut where he prepared food for them to eat. While in the hut after they had eaten, he locked the door, took a knife from the drawer and threatened the victims.
The case was assigned to Sergeant Themba Jilimba of the Thabong Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offenses (FCS) Unit. Through his extensive investigation, he ensured that the suspect was denied bail until the start of his trial.
— Sergeant Palesa Thabana, spokesperson for the Free State Police
“He tied them up with shoelaces and stuffed socks in their mouths before taking turns repeatedly raping them while the other watched,” Thabana said.
After the rapes, the victims reported the incident to their parents and a case of rape was registered for further investigation.
“The suspect was subsequently arrested for rape. The case was assigned to Sergeant Themba Jilimba of the Thabong Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offenses (FCS) Unit. Through his extensive investigations, he ensured that the suspect was denied bail until the start of his trial.”
After a trial that lasted several years, he was found guilty and sentenced on Monday to two life sentences for rape – and a further ten years in prison for forcing or inciting children to witness a sexual crime or act.
The sentences will run concurrently with the first life sentence.
Botho Molosankwe
www.timeslive.co.za