Ikageng stepfather sentenced after raping 7-year-old
His name is to be added to the National Register of sexual offenders and he was declared unfit to work with children.
An Ikageng resident and stepfather (39) to a seven-year-old daughter was sentenced to 25 years in prison following an incident in which he raped his stepdaughter repeatedly. The sentence was handed down on Monday, 26 February 2024 in the Potchefstroom Regional Court.
The incident occurred on Saturday, 18 May 2023 at Greenfield Extension in Ikageng. Evidence was stated in court that a concerned neighbour heard the seven-year-old girl is ill and went to visit her, where the neighbour then learnt that the girl was raped repeatedly.
The girl was in bed and home alone at the time of the visit and shared with her neighbour that her stepfather raped her repeatedly.
The concerned neighbour immediately reported the incident to the police and accompanied them to the victim’s house. The neighbour then accompanied the girl to the Thuthuzela Care Centre where the girl received care.
The police moved swiftly and arrested the accused stepfather only four days after the incident was reported to police on Wednesday, 22 May 2023. The police conducted thorough investigations after which the court did not grant bail to the stepfather.
The court further ruled that the stepfather’s name be included in the National Register of Sex Offenders. The stepfather was declared unfit to work with children, and declared unfit to possess a firearm.
Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Sello Kwena congratulated the Investigating Officer, Sergeant Cecilia Batantse of Potchefstroom Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) on the case. Commisioner Lt. General Kwena congratulated the prosecution for their efforts and dedication which led to the accused stepfather being sentenced. Commisioner Kwena added that the way the neighbour acted and supported the seven-year-old victim is an example of the “Your child is my child” concept, where children are collectively nurtured and protected by the community.
