LIMPOPO – A 41-year-old father from Matsa village was sentenced to two life sentences by the Thohoyandou High Court on September 26 for the rape of a minor, three years for kidnapping and 10 months for assault.
The victim, who cannot be named to protect her identity, was 14 years old at the time of the crimes in 2021.
Her father, who had previously been imprisoned for the murder of her mother, kidnapped her from her grandmother’s house to his home where he raped her repeatedly, threatening to kill her should she report the incident.
Despite the victim moving to stay with her aunt, the accused continued the abuse until December 2021.
In January 2022, it was discovered that the victim was pregnant but suffered a miscarriage, leading her to report the incident.
The spokesperson for the Limpopo police, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said no DNA was available and that a medical report was submitted to corroborate the evidence of the forensic nurse who testified on the injuries the victim had sustained during the ordeal.
“During the trial, the victim (who is now 17 years old) told the court that she was traumatised after the incident. Her grandmother also testified that she spent sleepless nights as she cried a lot after the incident and starting falling behind in school. She also sought counselling from social workers and psychologists,” Ledwaba stated.
The pre-sentence report was read to the court and handed in as an exhibit.
Detective Warrant Officer Samuel Thovhakale of the Makhado Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit successfully arrested the accused, who was on the run. He was denied bail and remained in custody until his sentencing.
It was recommended that the accused be sentenced to life imprisonment.
Acting provincial police commissioner Maj Gen Samuel Manala commended the investigating officer for sterling work done.
“This sentence reflects the severity of gender-based violence and the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals, particularly children, from abuse and exploitation.”
