South Africa: A man who raped a 12-year-old girl after accusing her of stealing was given a life sentence.

The Tsakane Regional Court sentenced a 35-year-old man to life in prison for the rape of a 12-year-old child.

On Monday, Vusi Elias Khoza received his punishment. Additionally, the court mandated that his name be added to the national registry of sexual offenders.

According to Lumka Mahanjana, the Gauteng spokeswoman for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the event happened in October 2015 when Khoza discovered the victim in Langaville, Tsakane, playing soccer with her pals.

Khoza confronted them while they were playing, accusing them of stealing his soccer poles, and he drove them away. The victim stumbled while running, but Khoza caught her and sat on her legs.

Khoza held on tight even after the youngster apologized for taking the poles. Mahanjana said, “He then dragged her to the bushes next to the veld where he undressed and raped her.”

Mahanjana said Khoza threatened to kill the victim before releasing her

“When the child got home and could not walk properly. The mother enquired, and the child told her what had happened. The mother reported the matter to the police and the man was arrested three days after the incident,” she said.

Mahanjana said Khoza pleaded not guilty to the charges and denied raping the victim. However, the State called witnesses who gave evidence that proved Khoza violated the child.