By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
14 October 2026- The police in the Namakwa District has welcomed the sentencing of a man (27) to 20 years imprisonment for rape, commending the investigating officer for conducting a thorough investigation that led to his conviction. Namakwa District police spokesperson, Captain Ivan Magerman, said the incident occurred on 20 December 2025, when a woman (48) was at her residence on Oorlogskloof Farm in Nieuwoudtville.
Magerman said the suspect, who is the victim’s nephew, arrived at her residence, where he attacked and raped her before fleeing the scene. He said the victim received assistance from a neighbour and the incident was subsequently reported to the police.
“The case was assigned to Detective Constable Gregory Settley, whose thorough and dedicated investigation led to the suspect’s arrest and the successful gathering and linking of evidence to secure a strong case in court.
“On 12 October 2026, the accused, Jakobus Kotze, pleaded guilty to rape and was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment,” he said.
Magerman said the court further ordered that the accused’s name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders in terms of Section 50 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act 32 of 2007.
In terms of Section 103(1) of the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000, the accused was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
The Namakwa District Police Commissioner, Brigadier Schalk Andrews, commended Settley for his professionalism and commitment to ensuring justice for the victim. Andrews added that the SAPS remains committed to fighting Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF).
“We urge victims of such crimes to report incidents at their nearest police station so that perpetrators can be brought to justice,” he said.
