‘Oupa’ (79) sentenced to life in prison for raping 6-year-old girl

A 79-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison for raping a six-year-old girl who called him “oupa” (grandfather).

Jacobus Christiaan Kotze appeared in the Pretoria North Magistrate’s Court, where the sentence was handed down.

Sentence

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

The court further ordered Kotze’s name be added to the National Register for Sex Offenders and declared him unfit to work with children and unfit to possess a firearm.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has welcomed the sentence.

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Trial

NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said Kotze pleaded not guilty, denying the rape and alleging the child’s parents fabricated the case due to a dispute over their tenancy at the commune.

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

Leniency

Magistrate Piet Nel agreed with the state, stating that “rape is a scourge in our society, and the absence of remorse aggravates this crime”.

Nel found no substantial or compelling circumstances to justify leniency, imposing life imprisonment, reinforcing the judiciary’s firm stance against gender-based violence.

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Rape

During the trial, it emerged that Kotze rented a room at a commune where the six-year-old girl was staying with her mother. 

The little girl referred to him as “oupa”, though they were not biologically related.  On 3 October 2019, the mother of the child suspected that something was wrong with her and decided to investigate.

When the mother could not find the child where she was supposed to be playing, she went to look for her in Kotze’s room.

Arrest

Mahanjana said that when the mother entered Kotze’s room, he immediately pulled his hands away from the child, which made her suspicious. 

“She then grabbed the child and went to their room, where she questioned her.  The child then disclosed to her mother that Kotze had raped her by digitally penetrating her, touched her private parts, and forced her to touch him.

“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 24 October 2019,” Kotze’s room said.

GBV

The Acting Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Marika Jansen van Vuuren, praised officials for the arrest and successful prosecution of Kotze.

“This sentence sends a clear message: the NPA prioritises GBV cases, especially those targeting vulnerable children, and will pursue justice relentlessly, she said. “The conviction underscores the NPA’s unwavering commitment to protecting society’s most vulnerable and holding perpetrators accountable, regardless of age or status.”

The NPA has urged communities to remain vigilant and report GBV and child abuse promptly.

“This case highlights the critical role of caregivers, like the victim’s mother, in exposing abuse and seeking justice,” the NPA said.

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