By STAFF REPORTER
30 September 2026 – A man (54) was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by the Mitchells Plain Regional Court for raping and sexually assaulting a girl (11). Saadiq Rajap was convicted of rape and sexual assault following incidents that occurred on 10 April 2024.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Western Cape, Eric Ntabazalila said Rajap was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for rape, with five years suspended for five years on condition that he is not convicted of rape or sexual assault during the suspension period. Ntabazalila said he was also sentenced to five years imprisonment for sexual assault, wholly suspended for five years on condition that he is not convicted of sexual assault during that period.
“The court further ordered that his name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders and directed the state to inform the victim of her right to make representations should Rajap be considered for parole.
“During the trial, state prosecutor Sergio Goff led evidence from the victim and a soccer teammate to whom she first reported the incident. The court heard that the victim’s friend (13) had invited her to play pool at Rajap’s house. After obtaining permission from her grandmother, she accompanied her friend.
“Rajap later asked the friend to accompany him to Mitchells Plain Town Centre to purchase a plug. Upon arrival, he instructed the friend to enter a shop, while the victim remained in the vehicle.
The victim testified that Rajap moved to the back of the taxi and touched her breasts over her clothing,” he said.
Ntabazalila further said the pair later travelled to Khayelitsha, where Rajap allegedly sent the friend to a nearby shop to buy snacks and an energy drink. He added that during her absence, he allegedly touched the victim’s breasts and private parts and inserted his finger into her vagina.
“The victim testified that she removed his hand and that Rajap subsequently offered her money in an attempt to prevent her from reporting the incident. She later confided in a soccer teammate, and her mother subsequently discovered messages relating to the incident on a cell phone shared by the two girls.
“A criminal case was opened after the victim was taken to a police station. Rajap pleaded not guilty and disputed aspects of the victim’s account. However, the court accepted the state’s evidence and convicted him,” said Ntabazalila.
He said the authority welcomed the sentence and remained committed to holding perpetrators of sexual offences againstchildren accountable. Ntabazalila said the NPA remains committed to holding perpetrators of sexual offences against children accountable while ensuring justice for victims.
He said the NPA reaffirmed its commitment to protecting children and ensuring that perpetrators of sexual offences face the consequences of their actions. Ntabazalila said the NPA in Western Cape welcomed the sentence, along with additional court orders barring Rajap from working with children and declaring him unfit to possess a firearm.
