The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has commended the Groblersdal Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offenses (FCS) Unit for securing two life imprisonment sentences for a 36-year-old man.
The man was arrested for rape and sexual assault to his 15-year-old stepson.
According to the police reports, the abuse began in 2019 when the stepfather, who had been living with the victim and his mother in the Masakaneng Informal Settlement in Groblersdal, would often come home drunk and molest the minor.
"The abuse escalated to rape with the stepfather forcing himself on the victim to perform unacceptable acts and often uttering degrading words to him.
"The ordeal continued for four years until the victim finally opened up to his mother in 2024, who immediately reported the matter to the police. The accused was arrested on 11 October 2024 at his workplace at a local farm by members of the Groblersdal FCS Unit," the police said in a statement.
Warrant Officer Victoria Lekgala Phala was assigned to the case and worked tirelessly to ensure the accused was brought to justice.
The accused made several court appearances before being granted bail but was ultimately found guilty of two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault on Tuesday.
The Groblersdal Regional Court sentenced the accused to two life terms of imprisonment for rape and five years for sexual assault. The court also declared the accused unfit to possess a firearm.
Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, welcomed the tough sentence.
"This sentence sends a strong message to perpetrators of gender-based violence and child abuse that the police will leave no stone unturned in ensuring they are brought to justice.” – SAnews.gov.za
