Bronkhorstspruit Regional Court gives stepfather four life sentences for raping two teens
Bronkhorstspruit Regional Court adds another three years for assault GBH and 18 months for being illegally in the country.
The Bronkhorstspruit Regional Court sentenced a Mozambican on October 25 to four life sentences for raping his two teenage stepdaughters over a period of two years.
The incidents took place between 2015 and 2017 when the two minors, aged 13 and 15, were living on a remote plot in the Kameeldrift area with their biological mother and stepfather.
The girls were subjected to sexual favours, including penetration, as payment for gifts such as clothes.
The case was reported on December 16, 2019, when it came to light during a family gathering that both minors had quite a misconstrued idea about gift-giving when other children shared what their fathers had gotten them as gifts for Christmas.
The victims asked if the others also had to sleep with their fathers as gratification. The girls’ mother overheard this discussion and immediately reported it to the police.
The police’s special organised unit Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) were inaccessible at the time, however, the children were immediately removed from their abuser’s house until January 3, 2020, when the matter was reported and enrolled within the first week of January.
Bail was denied.
According to the state prosecutor, Advocate Ben Smith, the victims’ rights were brutally infringed, and their privacy, dignity and integrity were disrespected by an adult who was a father figure in their eyes.
The Mozambican was also found guilty on a count of assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) and sentenced to three years imprisonment.
The court sentenced him to another 18 months for being illegally in the country. These sentences will run concurrently with one of the four life sentences.
According to the Bronkhorstspruit SAPS spokesperson, Constable Cathrine Ramovha, if there is any indication or experience of gender-based violence (GBV), people must immediately notify the police and report the incident.
There is a GBV desk in the Client Service Centre that deals with GBV incidents as well as a Victim Support Centre specifically for these sensitive matters.
Community members can contact 013 932 9222 to report GBV incidents.
“The police station is working with the Mali Martin Polokegong Centre, a place of safety, to accommodate male and female victims of GBV.”
Should a GBV victim need more support and trauma counselling than what SAPS can offer, the CMR in Bronkhorstspruit can be contacted on 013 932 0459 or in Cullinan/Rayton on 012 734 8000.
“We can assist children up to 18 years of age with trauma counselling,” said Marize Nel.
If a victim is older than 18, the CMR can advise them on who to contact and who will be able to help them, which in itself is a huge help in getting the right trauma counselling for their road to recovery.
