Palm Ridge High Court brought justice to an 18-year-old rape victim on August 26, who was raped by her father two years ago.
She was raped on January 29, 2017, when she was 17 years old.
According to Const Sivenkosi Mtwa of Katlehong SAPS, due to fear and trauma she couldn’t report the matter to her mother nor report her father.
“Instead, she opted to take her life on many occasions. In the same year, she decided to tell her mother and stepfather what had happened to her. A case was opened and her story of trying to commit suicide made the front page of a local paper,” he said.
He said the accused from Palm Ridge, who was 41 years old when he first appeared in court, was denied bail by the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court and remained in custody.
“On August 26, the accused was back in court for sentencing, where he was sentenced to two life in prison. The law will always prevail when it comes to gender-based violence cases, and rape cases are treated with confidentiality in order to protect the victims,” said Mtwa.
He commended Det Sgt Lindelani Joyce Dladla for working tirelessly on the case.
“The detective worked day and night compiling sufficient evidence to secure two life sentences. Being a female cop and cracking such a case wasn’t an easy task, but she has proven her capabilities,” he said.
