The Wesselsbron Regional Court has sentenced a 66-year-old man to life imprisonment for rape. This was after an 11-year-old female minor was repeatedly raped by the accused.
“The sentencing emanates from rape incidents that date as far back as 2024. The court heard evidence that on Saturday, 15 February 2025, the 11-year-old victim was visiting her grandmother in Monyakeng, Wesselsbron,” the police said in a statement.
During the visit, while playing and out of sight from her grandmother, the victim was lured to the bedroom by the accused, who is well known to her. The accused locked the door and raped the minor while in the bedroom.
“The ordeal was witnessed by other minor children who peeped through the keyhole. They saw both the accused and the victim lying on the bed. They immediately informed the grandmother, who then reported the matter to the police,” the police said.
During preliminary investigations, it was discovered that this was not the first incident where the accused sexually violated the victim. The first incident was dated as far back as 15 December 2024. The court further heard how the accused would give the victim money after each rape ordeal.
The matter was assigned to Warrant Officer Mabote Lebone of the Welkom Family Violence Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) for further investigation. The accused was subsequently arrested for rape.
Through the meticulous investigation, led by Lebone, alongside prosecutor Sephugu of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) the accused was found guilty of rape.
Magistrate Randall handed down the life imprisonment sentence to the 66-year-old accused on 22 October 2026. The court ordered that the accused's particulars be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders. He was further declared unfit to possess a firearm.
The Lejweleputswa District Commissioner Major General (Dr), Tholie Afonso, has welcomed the sentencing. Stating that this sends a clear message for zero tolerance to offenders of crimes committed against women and children.
Afonso further said any action that undermines the rule of law will be dealt with decisively. – SAnews.gov.za
