The Somerset West Regional Court sentenced a 48-year-old man to life imprisonment after he was found guilty of raping a woman in 2017. The incident took place in Grabouw.
Koos Kerneels initially pleaded not guilty to the charges against him, but after an intensive investigation and trial he was finally found guilty of this crime.
Sgt. Police spokesperson Wesley Twigg said on Sunday that Kerneels and his accomplice chased and raped the 27-year-old victim on the way to her home in December 2017.
Gerald Jacobs, Kerneels’ accomplice, pleaded guilty to rape charges at the time of the men’s arrest. The Strand regional court sentenced Jacobs to 18 years in prison.
However, Kerneels pleaded not guilty, leading to a trial.
“The matter is with Capt. Francois Boer, who conducted a comprehensive investigation. He collected the necessary evidence for a strong court case. Kerneels was found guilty and sentenced based on this,” said Twigg.
