By OBAKENG MAJE
10 September 2026 – A man was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by the Pofadder Regional Court for rape on 9 September 2026. The accused, Nazeed Pienaar also affectionately known as China was convicted of rape following an incident that occurred on 29 March 2025, at approximately 2:50am, when a victim (46) was allegedly raped at her residence in Pella, while sleeping on the veranda.
Namakwa District police spokesperson, Captain Ivan Magerman said Constable Thabang Mokgethe of the Pofadder Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit, who was on standby at the time, responded swiftly to the complaint and commenced with the necessary investigative processes. Magerman said the accused was arrested on 30 March 2025, and subsequently released on bail on 7 April 2025.
“Through a thorough and diligent investigation conducted by Mokgethe, sufficient evidence was presented before the court, resulting in the accused being found guilty of rape on 12 June 2026. He was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment.
“In addition to the custodial sentence, the court declared Pienaar unfit to possess a firearm in terms of the Firearms Control Act. His name was ordered to be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders, and he was further declared unfit to work with children,” he said.
Meanwhile, the acting Namakwa District Police Commissioner, Colonel Moses Lekgwati, commended Mokgethe for his commitment, professionalism and meticulous investigative work, which ultimately contributed to securing the conviction and sentence. Lekgwati reiterated that the SAPS remains resolute in its efforts to combat gender-based violence and crimes committed against women, children and other vulnerable persons.
“This sentence sends a clear and unequivocal message that perpetrators of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) will not be allowed to act with impunity. The SAPS in Namakwa District remains committed to ensuring that perpetrators are relentlessly pursued, arrested and brought before the courts to face the full might of the law.
“The SAPS further encourages victims of GBV and sexual offences to report such incidents to the police and to seek the necessary support and assistance. Every report is treated seriously and will be investigated with the utmost professionalism and sensitivity,” he said.
The Guardian 