Court in Secunda sends child rapist from Standerton to prison
Thami Simelani was sentenced to two years direct imprisonment for housebreaking and 20 years for raping a toddler.
The Regional Sexual Offences Court in Secunda found Thami Simelani from Standerton guilty of rape and housebreaking on February 18.
The court sentenced Simelani to two years direct imprisonment for housebreaking and 20 years for raping a toddler.
The three-year-old victim’s mother knew Simelani. Simelani was at their home earlier in the evening, enjoying time with several friends.
The mother and two of her friends left at midnight to go to church. During this time, the children were asleep in their beds. The doors and safety gates were closed but not locked.
When the mother returned, she found Simelani in the little girl’s bed, both halfway undressed. When asked what he was doing in this compromising position, Simelani said he was praying for the child.
The mother asked him again, and his response was, “I’m sorry.”
After chasing Simelani away, the victim was taken to the hospital, where she endured multiple medical examinations to determine the extent of the violence against her.
Simelani was arrested shortly afterwards, and the case was referred to the Standerton Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit.
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