Morehill paedophile sentenced to two life terms
The man was arrested in 2021 after his wife’s cousin opened a case of rape against him.
A 39-year-old man from Morehill has been sentenced to two life terms for rape and 60 years’ imprisonment for sexual assault.
The man committed these offences against his stepdaughter, his two children, his wife’s cousin and two other children between 2014 and 2021.
At the time of the incidents, the children were between the ages of one and 18 years.
He appeared in a Pretoria High Court sitting in the Benoni Regional Court on December 5.
According to the SAPS Ekurhuleni district communication officer, Captain Nelda Sekgobela, on a particular day in 2014, the man’s wife’s cousin visited his wife in hospital and he then offered to give the 18-year-old victim a lift home.
It is reported that he decided not to drop her at her mother’s house in Etwatwa but instead took her to his house in Putfontein where he raped her. He apparently forced the victim to take a shower in the morning and then took her home. The second incident took place in 2017.
He raped his stepdaughter, who is now 19 years old.
“The victim was visiting her mother when one night her relative started coughing.
The man came to the room where the victim and relative were sleeping with the intention of giving the relative a cough syrup. He later ended up raping the stepdaughter.” It is reported that the victim confided in her mother who then reported the matter to the Daveyton police.
“In another incident, a 38-year-old woman who was friends with his wife visited the couple at their Morehill home with her two children, aged six and three.
“The man’s wife and her friend left the children in his care. The accused sexually assaulted the six-year-old boy and raped the three-year-old girl,” said Sekgobela. According to the police, the man further raped his two biological children, a seven-year-old girl and a one-year-old boy.
Arrest
He was arrested in 2021 after his wife’s cousin opened a case of rape against him. She had previously attempted to kill herself before she confessed to the abuse.
During his arrest, the police discovered child pornography on the man’s phone. The rapes of the other minors came to light after the man confessed to his wife and church members.
He has been in custody since 2021 after his bail application was denied. The perpetrator cannot be named to protect the identity of the children involved
Detective’s success
Benoni Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit’s (FCS) Detective Sergeant Emily Mahlangu has welcomed the sentence.
“I am satisfied with the outcome of the case. Justice has been served. I am happy that we managed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the man did indeed rape the children,” said Mahlangu.
Also Read: Man sentenced to life imprisonment for raping five-year-old girl
Also Read: Etwatwa man sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment
