A 79-year-old Pretoria man will spend the rest of his life behind bars after being convicted of raping a six-year-old girl, with the court also declaring him unfit to work with children or own a firearm.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said the Pretoria North Magistrates’ Court handed down the life imprisonment sentence to Johannes Jacobus Christiaan Kotze.

“Kotze also received five years each for two counts of sexual assault, to run concurrently with the life sentence.

“The court further ordered that his name be added to the National Register for Sex Offenders and declared him unfit to work with children and unfit to possess a firearm.”

She said Kotze rented a room at a commune where the six-year-old girl was staying with her mother.

“The victim referred to him as ‘Oupa’ even though they were not biologically related.

Mahanjana said the mother found her child in Kotze’s room on October 3, 2019 when she searched for her but could not find her where she was supposed to be playing.

“When she entered, he immediately pulled his hands away from the child, which brought made the mother suspicious.”

The mother took the child out of the room and questioned her.

“The child then disclosed to her mother that Kotze had raped her by digitally penetrating her, touching her private parts, and forcing her to touch him,” said Mahanjana.

“The child further revealed that these acts were not isolated incidents. The mother immediately reported the matter to the police, leading to Kotze’s arrest on October 24 2019.”

Kotze pleaded not guilty, denying the rape and alleging the child fabricated the case due to a dispute over their tenancy at the commune.

However, State Prosecutor Hanlie Du Preez presented compelling evidence, including the victim’s testimony and corroborating reports, proving Kotze’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Mahanjana said during sentencing, Kotze sought leniency, citing his age and ill health.

“Du Preez countered that his lack of remorse, the gruesome nature of the crime, and its lasting trauma on the victim, who continues to suffer nightmares, warranted no deviation from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment. She argued that age alone could not excuse such a heinous act.”

Regional Court Magistrate Piet Nel agreed with the state, stating that rape is a scourge in our society, and the absence of remorse aggravates this crime; therefore, he found no substantial or compelling circumstances to justify leniency; he imposed life imprisonment, reinforcing the judiciary’s stance against GBV.

The NPA urges communities to remain vigilant and report GBV and child abuse promptly. Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs) stand ready to provide medical, psychological, and legal support to survivors.