Father sentenced to life imprisonment for raping his own daughter
The court found no compelling and substantial circumstances to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence and the accused was sentenced to life imprisonment for rape
A father who should be the protector of his own flesh and blood, committed a crime and was sentenced for it.
On Thursday, November 21 at the Witbank Magistrate’s Court in the regional court a 45-year-old man was sentenced to life imprisonment after he was convicted of raping his 14-year-old daughter in Ackerville.
The accused person’s name cannot be revealed to protect the identity of the victim.
The court heard that in March 2019, a helper was cleaning the house when she saw pieces of tissue and a white cloth with blood under the victim’s bed.
She suspected that there was something wrong.
She asked the victim in the presence of a neighbour after she came back from school, and she told them that her father raped her.
The matter was then reported to the authorities and the accused was arrested.
During trial, the accused pleaded not guilty.
Regional Court Prosecutor Maureen Nkosi led testimonies of the victim and that of the helper who assisted in reporting the matter to the police.
The J88 medical report confirmed penetration with injuries in the victim’s private part.
In aggravation of sentence, the state submitted that the accused did not show remorse for his actions.
As a father, he was supposed to protect and defend the victim especially after the death of her mother.
He further destroyed the level of trust between him and the victim.
The court found no compelling and substantial circumstances to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence and the accused was sentenced to life imprisonment for rape.
The Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Adv Matric Luphondo has welcomed the conviction and sentence in the matter.
It clearly demonstrates our commitment as the NPA in the fight against gender based violence in our society.
