A 43-year-old man from Schoemansdal was sentenced to 20 years’ direct imprisonment in the Boschfontein Regional Court on Tuesday, October 15, for raping a 10-year-old.
The man was arrested in March 2023 for raping his neighbour’s daughter in his backyard. She had been playing with her friend in her yard when he emerged and took her to his own backyard to rape her.
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The court also ordered his name to be entered into the National Register for Sexual Offenders. According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)’s regional spokesperson, Monica Nyuswa, the man pleaded guilty to the charge. “In his plea statement, he said he had penetrated the victim and later withdrew as he felt sorry for his actions. Addressing the court to impose a prescribed minimum sentence, state prosecutor Joshua Sibeko said the accused should have protected the victim as she was his neighbour. He said there was overwhelming evidence against the accused as he had been caught in the act by the victim’s friend,” said Nyuswa.
A J88 medical report confirming the incident was presented and the victim impact statement was prepared and presented by the court preparation officer, Lizzy Mhlongo. The statement indicated that the victim is now living in fear of men, and that her performance at school has deteriorated.
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“In handing down the judgment, the court found there were compelling circumstances justifying deviation from the prescribed sentence of life. It took into consideration that the accused had pleaded guilty to the offence, that he did not waste the court’s time and that he is a first-time offender. He was declared unfit to work with children and is obliged to inform any prospective employer about this conviction. Furthermore, an order to seize any firearm in his possession was issued. We welcome the sentence and remain committed to vigorously prosecuting such crimes, reaffirming our dedication,” said Nyuswa.
