The Kwaggafontein Regional Court sentenced a 56-year-old man to life imprisonment for the rape of his neighbour’s eight-year-old daughter in Vlaklaagte 2. The accused pleaded guilty to the charge and was subsequently convicted.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority’s provincial spokesperson, Monica Nyuswa, on September 12, 2020 the accused asked the girl’s mother to allow her to accompany him while he collected empty cans for recycling.

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“Instead, the accused took the victim to his home and raped her. When the mother realised the child had been gone for some time, she called out for her. Upon hearing her mother, the child was able to leave the accused’s house and proceeded to report the rape.

“The police were informed, and the girl was taken to the nearest medical centre for treatment and evaluation.
Nyuswa said the State, led by prosecutor Nicky Coetzee, presented positive DNA results linking the accused to the offence.

Coetzee argued that the accused’s heinous actions dehumanised the victim. By sexually violating her, he deprived her of her innocence, dignity and bodily integrity. Coetzee added that the accused is not a candidate for rehabilitation and that he should be removed from the society.

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“The court imposed the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment under Section 51(1) of the Criminal Amendment Act 105 of 1997, finding no substantial or compelling circumstances justifying deviation. Additionally, his inclusion on the National Register for Sexual Offenders was ordered, declaring him unfit to possess a firearm and unsuitable to work with children,” said Nyuswa.