By OBAKENG MAJE

A stepfather (39) has been sentenced to 25 years imprisonment by the Potchefstroom Regional Court for raping his stepdaughter (7). The offender’s conviction emanated from an incident that occurred at Greenfield Extension in Ikageng, outside Potchefstroom on 18 May 2023.

The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said, a concerned neighbour went to visit the girl after she learnt that she was ill. Myburgh further said the victim, who was in bed, but home alone at the time of the visit, confessed to the neighbour that she was repeatedly raped by her stepfather.

“The neighbour immediately reported this to the police and even accompanied the police to the victim’s house. She also accompanied the girl to the Thuthuzela Care Centre. The accused was arrested by the police on 22 May 2023 after thorough police investigations and he was never granted bail by the court.

“Moreover, the court ruled that his name was included in the National Register of Sex Offenders in terms of Section 50 (2)(a) and Section 50(2)(b) of the Act. He was declared unsuitable to work with children in terms of Section 120 of the Children’s Act 38 of 2005,” she said.

Myburgh added that, the offender was declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 102 of the Firearm Control Act 60 of 2000.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, congratulated the Investigating Officer, Sgt Cecilia Batantse of Potchefstroom Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS), as well as the prosecution for their efforts and dedication, which resulted in sentencing of the accused. 

Kwena said the way this neighbour acted is an example of the “Your Child Is My Child” concept, where children are collectively nurtured and protected by the community.

taungdailynews@gmail.com