A 43-year-old man will serve an effective 22 years in prison after being found guilty in the Boschfontein Regional Court of raping and sexually assaulting his daughters.

The court heard that in the first incident, in 2022, the victim, who was 12 years old at the time, was at her family’s home when her father molested her.

Also read: Nelspruit court sentences man for raping his daughter

Later that year, the younger victim, who was eight years old at the time, was sleeping with her parents when her father raped her.

Incidents reported two years later

Both incidents were reported at Malelane Police Station on October 18, 2024, and the perpetrator was arrested the following day. The matter was investigated by the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit.

On October 5, the perpetrator was sentenced to 15 years direct imprisonment for rape and seven years direct imprisonment for sexual assault.

The court ordered that the perpetrator’s name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.

Police welcome heavy sentence

The provincial SAPS commissioner Lieutenant General Apaphia Modise welcomed the sentence and commended the investigation team, prosecution team, and judiciary for securing justice for the children.

“This is a betrayal of trust by a father who was supposed to protect his children,” she said. “We hope that this sentence sends a strong message that crimes against children will never be tolerated. We commend the victims for their bravery, and their f