New date for pre-sentencing of man who raped stepdaughters

Pre-sentencing proceedings of the 51-year-old Randfontein man who raped his stepdaughters could not take place as scheduled on Tuesday because the judge was not available at the Johannesburg High Court.

The man was found guilty in February of raping and indecently assaulting his two stepdaughters. He cannot be named to protect the identity of his stepdaughters.

During the trial, the state called seven witnesses, one of whom was the 51-year-old’s stepdaughter. She testified that the accused began raping her when she was only 11 years old.

Now 18, the accounting student told the court she did not like her stepfather even though he provided financially for the family and made sure that their basic needs were met.

She later told the court her stepfather began raping her on a regular basis when she was in grade eight.

She told her school psychologist she could not report the matter because he had told her that her family would be unhappy and in danger if she told the police.

The teenager only reported the matter after she found out that he was sexually assaulting her sister as well.

She told the court that she tried taking her life by hanging herself and overdosing on medication after he was arrested but was unsuccessful.

Pre-sentencing will now begin on March 17 and the bail conditions of the 51-year-old were extended.