58-year-old Louis Pepping, a former Eastern Cape Department of Education advisor was sentenced to life imprisonment on Friday at the High Court in Mthatha.
Reports suggest that Pepping was sentenced for raping a six-year-ood girl, the crime is believed to have taken place in Ngobozana Locality in the district of Lusikisiki in September 2019.
He is currently serving a four-year prison term for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old learner in June 2021.
Acting Judge Mvuzo Notyesi delivered a judgement and agreed with the state that there were no substantial and compelling circumstances justifying a deviation from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment for raping a minor.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority, Judge Notyesi noted that Pepping never showed any remorse for his crime and was unimpressed by the evidence presented in mitigation of sentences – “That he was a church elder and has children whose names he does not even know”.
The High Court and the prosecution agreed that “Pepping is a highly educated man who should have known better”, and ordered that his name be entered into the national register of sex offenders.
Subscribe Now for Exclusive Weekly Updates!
Enter your details below and be part of our community, unlocking premium content delivered to your inbox.
