The Thabamoopo Regional Court in Limpopo has convicted and sentenced a 38-year-old man from Magatle to life imprisonment for the rape of his 13-year-old stepdaughter.
The name of the rapist is withheld to protect the identity of the minor victim from secondary victimisation.
“The accused pleaded not guilty. The court heard that on 10 January 2024, at Gedroogte village in Magatle, the victim and her mother were doing laundry while the accused was working in the garden. After completing the laundry, the victim’s mother went to a neighbour’s house to charge her phone, leaving the victim and the accused alone,” said Mashudu Malabi, NPA Limpopo regional spokesperson.
The victim went to take a bath in her mother’s bedroom.
Malabi said the accused followed her inside the room and raped her.
“After the incident, the victim ran to her mother’s aunt to report what had happened. The aunt accompanied her to the police station to open a case. The accused was traced and arrested on 12 January 2024 and remained in custody until the finalisation of the trial,” said Malabi.
In aggravation of sentence, state advocate Bertha Kotsedi submitted that the matter falls within the ambit of gender-based violence, which has been declared a national crisis in South Africa, and that the court should impose a sentence that would deter would-be offenders.
The state further submitted that the accused showed no signs of remorse and had betrayed his duty as a stepfather to protect the child.
Kotsedi also submitted that the heinous crime had a significant psychological and emotional impact on the victim and her family.
The state emphasised that the accused violated the victim’s right to safety and security within her own home.
Following the sentencing, the NPA in Limpopo has welcomed the verdict.
Limpopo regional director of public prosecutions, advocate Ivy Thenga said such convictions provide justice and closure to victims and their families, while ensuring that violent offenders are removed from society.
She also commended Kotsedi and the investigating officer, Warrant Officer Selolo, “for their diligent work” in securing the conviction.
The NPA in Limpopo said it remains committed to prosecuting crimes against women and children and ensuring that perpetrators are held “fully accountable”.
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Jonisayi Maromo
iol.co.za
