Life sentence for child rapist

A 45-year-old stepfather of a 13-year-old girl child was sentenced to life imprisonment for his bad deeds on his stepdaughter in Zamdela.

This harsh sentence was passed in Sasolburg Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 28 October 2021.

The sentence follows a case reported to the police on Sunday 02 August 2020 about an incident that occurred on 27 March 2020. 

The court heard how the stepfather on the night in question raped a child in the absence of her mother, in bed with her young sister fast asleep next to her. 

That incident became a norm to him as he continued to rape her on Fridays when he comes home.

The victim reported to the stepfather that she has fallen pregnant, as she is not menstruating anymore.

He bought pregnancy test kit to confirm pregnancy, which came out positive.

He then went to buy some medication for the victim to terminate the pregnancy, but she did not drink.

The accused told the victim’s mother that he suspects that the victim is pregnant by that time he already told the victim to lie about having sexual intercourse with him.

He went on to influence the victim to tell a lie that an unknown male raped her, which she did.

During investigation by Detective Nondlela Mthembu, the victim told the truth about her rape ordeal in the hands of her stepfather.

The accused who was staying in the same house with the victim, was arrested by Sargent Mokhethi Makhooe.

The accused voluntarily requested paternity test during trial.

The results came back positive, and he pleaded guilty as charged.

The court sentenced the accused to serve life in prison for his heinous crime while Mr Motang Tsolo prosecuted.

Fezile Dabi Acting District Commissioner Brigadier Mapulane Mbeloane lauded the members for ensuring that the child rapist is removed from the community. 

“The sentence will send a strong message to would-be rapists that they will be dealt with harshly for this undignified and degrading act,” concluded Brigadier Mbeloane.