By OBAKENG MAJE

20 August 2025- A man (58) from Mamelodi East in Gauteng convicted for two counts of rape of his neighbour’s son (13) and his nephew (9). On 12 April 2022, the man called his neighbour’s son on the street while playing with his friend under the pretence that he needed his help to fix his door at his place of residence in Mamelodi East.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said when both the boy and the man arrived inside the house, the man closed the door and proceeded to rape the boy. Mahanjana said he threatened him that if he screamed, he would kill him.

“After, the man instructed the boy to dress up and not to tell anyone about what had happened. The boy then left the man’s house and went back to play with his friend.

“Later, the same day, while the man and his nephew whom he stayed with were in the house he undressed the nephew and inserted his fingers in his buttocks resulting in him bleeding,” she said.

Mahanjana further said later in the evening, when the mother of the child who is a sister to the man returned home, the child told her what had happened. She added that the following day, the mother opened a case against her brother, and he was arrested.

“When the neighbour’s child heard about the arrest, he came forward and reported the matter to the police. Both victims were taken to Mamelodi Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC), where they received medical, psychological, and legal assistance from the police and prosecutors.

“In court, the man pleaded not guilty, denying the rapes and alleging his sister fabricated the charges due to a family house dispute. However, state prosecutor, Andries Ntjana, presented compelling evidence from Dr Lukhozi, proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt,” said Mahanjana.

She said during sentencing, the accused, through his legal representative, sought leniency, citing his role as a family man with two children and a wife, arguing a lengthy sentence would separate him from them. Mahanjana said, however, Ntjana countered that the man was on parole for a 2008 rape conviction when he committed these offences, showing no remorse and blaming his sister.

“Moreover, Ntjana submitted Victim Impact Statements (VIS), facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Kgomotso Lodi, detailing the victims’ humiliation and lifelong scars, and the mothers’ shattered trust.

“Magistrate Lynn Pillay agreed with the state, agreed with the state that the man showed no remorse and that he committed this offence while on parole for the same offence,” she said.

Mahanjana said the man committed these offences against children, who were close to him and saw him as an uncle. She said Pillay emphasised rape’s degrading nature and the courts’ duty to protect communities, finding no compelling circumstances to deviate from the minimum sentence.

The acting Director of Public Prosecutions, advocate Marika Jansen Van Vuuren, praised Ntjana and said: “This sentence sends a clear message: the NPA prioritises GBV cases targeting vulnerable children and will pursue justice relentlessly.

“Both victims received services from Mamelodi TCC, which provided them with ongoing support throughout the court process, reflecting its victim-centric approach.”

Meanwhile, Mahanjana said the NPA commends the mother’s vigilance and the TCCs’ ongoing support. She said this case encourages young boys to report abuse and urges families and communities to stay alert, report suspected cases, and support survivors through TCCs.

“The NPA calls on South Africans to unite against gender-based violence, ensuring safe environments where children’s rights to dignity and safety are upheld, and perpetrators face the full force of the law.

She said the court ordered his name entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders, declared him unfit to work with children, and declared him unfit to possess a firearm.

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