Rapist father jailed for life

A father will spend the rest of his life behind bars after being found guilty of raping his own daughter (14).

The man (49), who cannot be named for the protection of his victim, was convicted and on Tuesday sentenced by the Sasolburg Regional Court for the 2019 rape.

The court heard that, on the evening of the incident, after waking her from a nightmare, the man instructed his daughter to sleep in his bed.

He later joined her, ordered her to remove her underwear, and raped her. The following morning, he assaulted her again, attempting to silence her with promises of a repaired cellphone and a winter school uniform.

Instead of attending school, the brave teenager confided in her paternal grandmother, who took her to the hospital.

The Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) in Zamdela recovered a cloth from the accused’s bed containing his semen, with DNA analysis confirming it as his.

During a family meeting later that day, hearing police sirens, the man attempted to flee but was apprehended by his brothers.

He pleaded not guilty, claiming ignorance of why his daughter would fabricate the allegations. But forensic evidence proved his guilt.

The court rejected the man’s defence, convicting him of raping his daughter while in his care.

Magistrate Ngewu highlighted the crime’s severity, noting the victim’s vulnerability, the breach of trust, and the accused’s prior rape conviction.

Prosecutor Marase argued for the maximum penalty, citing the accused’s lack of remorse, his status as a repeat offender, and the danger he poses to society and his family. She urged a life sentence to protect vulnerable members.

The court found no substantial or compelling circumstances to deviate from the prescribed minimum, imposing life imprisonment.

The court ordered the man’s name be entered into the National Register for Sexual Offenders.

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