By OBAKENG MAJE
12 November 2026 – A man (48) was sentenced life imprisonment by the Kimberley Sexual Offences Court for kidnapping and raping his former partner (31) in the presence of their eight-month-old child. The accused and the victim had previously been involved in a romantic relationship characterised by violence.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Northern Cape, Mojalefa Senokoatsane said following the breakdown of the relationship, the victim obtained a protection order, prohibiting the accused from assaulting her or entering her mother’s residence, where she was staying. Senokoatsane said the protection order followed earlier incidents involving the accused and the victim.
“On 24 January 2024, the accused went to the victim’s mother’s residence and forcibly removed their eight-month-old child in an attempt to compel the victim to come to him. The victim sought police assistance after he violated the protection order by taking the child from the prohibited premises.
“The police subsequently located, arrested him and the child was safely recovered. Despite being released on bail, the accused continued his unlawful conduct. On 20 July 2024, he pursued the victim to a friend’s residence, where she was with their child,” he said.
Senokoatsane said armed with an object believed to be a panga and concealed in a towel, he forcibly removed the victim and the child and took them to the victim’s mother’s residence. He said it was there that he raped the victim in the presence of their infant child.
“The victim reported the incident to the police, resulting in the accused’s arrest. During the trial, the state presented medical and forensic evidence in support of the rape charge, while the testimony of the victim’s mother supported the kidnapping charge.
“The court accepted the evidence presented by the state as credible and sufficient to sustain the convictions. In aggravation of sentence, the state presented Victim Impact Statements, compiled with the assistance of Court Preparation Officer (CPO), Lindo Sikhakhane, detailing the physical, emotional and psychological impact of the offences on the victim,” said Senokoatsane.
In determining an appropriate sentence, he said the court considered the seriousness of the offences, the accused’s previous convictions for violent crimes and the impact of his actions on the victim. Senokoatsane said the court found no substantial and compelling circumstances justifying a departure from the prescribed minimum sentence and consequently imposed life imprisonment for rape.
“The NPA regards this case as a stark demonstration of the devastating consequences of gender-based violence and intimate-partner violence, particularly where an abusive former partner uses intimidation, a child and physical violence as instruments of control.
“The commission of the rape in the presence of an eight-month-old child further aggravates the cruelty and seriousness of the crime. Protection orders are an important mechanism for safeguarding victims of domestic violence and must be respected.,” he said.
Senokoatsane said the NPA will continue to vigorously prosecute those who violate the rights, dignity and bodily integrity of women and children. He said the NPA welcomes the life sentence as an important measure of accountability and remains committed to prosecuting perpetrators of sexual and domestic violence without fear, favour or prejudice.
“Victims of abuse must be able to seek protection and justice without facing continued intimidation, retaliation or further victimisation. The identity of the accused is being withheld to protect the identity of the victim. The court imposed life imprisonment for rape, together with an additional seven years imprisonment for contravening Section 138 of the Children’s Act 38 of 2005,” concluded Senokoatsane.
