The Pretoria Magistrate’s Court has handed down a double life imprisonment sentence to a 39-year-old man from Olievenhoutbosch who was on parole for a previous rape conviction.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Regional spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said the sentence followed his conviction on two counts of raping his 14-year-old neighbour.

The court ordered that the sentences run concurrently, that his name be entered into the Register of Sexual Offenders, and that he be declared unfit to possess a firearm.

Mahanjana explained that the offences occurred in October 2021 at the man’s residence in Olievenhoutbosch.

She said on both occasions, the man called the girl to his home, sent her to a nearby shop, and upon her return, instructed her to enter his room and raped her.

“On one occasion, he gave her R150 to ensure her silence.”

The matter came to light on May 14, 2022, when the victim asked her mother for money and disclosed that the man had previously given her money after raping her.

Her mother reported the matter to the police on the same day, and the man was arrested at his residence.

“The victim was taken to the Laudium Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC), where she received medical care, psychological support, and legal assistance from police and prosecutors,” said Mahanjana.

During the trial, the man pleaded not guilty, denying the rape incidents and alleging that the victim’s family had influenced her to make false accusations.

State Prosecutor Advocate Chester Molaba presented compelling evidence proving the man’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

“Through his legal representative, the man requested that the court deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence, arguing that he is a taxi driver and has two children to care for.”

However, Advocate Molaba countered that the man had committed a serious offence that is prevalent in the court’s jurisdiction and had committed the rape while on parole for a similar offence dating back to 2009, demonstrating he cannot be rehabilitated.

He asked the court to impose life imprisonment.

Magistrate Themba Ndandwe agreed with the state, noting that the man had shown no remorse, could not be rehabilitated, and emphasised that courts have a duty to protect communities.

He found that there were no substantial or compelling circumstances to justify a deviation from the prescribed minimum sentence.

Acting Director of Public Prosecutions in Gauteng, Advocate Marika Jansen Van Vuuren, commended Advocate Molaba’s work.

“All cases of sexual violence violate the rights to dignity and privacy of victims, as guaranteed in our Constitution; therefore, the NPA will continue to prosecute such cases vigorously.”

Mahanjana added that the NPA’s TCCs, including the Laudium TCC in this case, ensure victims of gender-based violence receive holistic support, providing ongoing psychosocial, medical, and legal assistance throughout the justice process.

She emphasised that families and communities should remain vigilant, report abuse promptly, and support survivors through TCCs, and she encouraged parents and guardians to recognise signs of abuse and act swiftly to protect children.

“The NPA calls on all South Africans to unite against gender-based violence to create safe environments where children’s constitutional rights to dignity and safety are upheld, and perpetrators face the full might of the law,” she added.

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