By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
16 April 2025- The Pretoria Magistrate’s Court sentenced a man (39) from Olievenhoutbosch to two life terms for two counts of rape and five years direct imprisonment for the sexual assault of his niece (14). In January 2021, the complainant and her uncle were at a family gathering in Hammanskraal when he approached her in the kitchen while washing dishes and began touching her breasts and private parts.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana said in January 2022, the uncle invited the complainant to his place of residence in Olievenhoutbosch and during the night while sleeping in the same bed, he began to rape her. Mahanjana said in the same month, the accused lured the complainant to his place of residence by informing her that her friend was looking for her.
“On arrival at his place of residence, he undressed the complainant and raped her. In May 2022, as the mother of the complainant was going through the complainant’s phone, she saw WhatsApp messages from the accused asking her why she attended school, instead of visiting him and sleeping over.
“The mother confronted the complainant and during the confrontation, she informed her about the incidents. The following day, a case was opened against the accused, who was subsequently arrested on 26 May 2022,” she said.
Mahanjana said in court, the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him. She said, however, the state was able to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
“During sentence proceedings through his legal representative, the accused asked the court to deviate from imposing the prescribed minimum sentences because he is a first-time offender and was employed at the time of his arrest.
“However, the state prosecutor Anton Burger, argued that he abused his position of trust as a close family member and instead of looking after the complainant, he abused her,” said Mahanjana.
She said, furthermore, Burger emphasised the seriousness of the crimes he committed and how these crimes affected the complainant, resulting in her repeating a grade. Mahanjana said Burger further asked the court to impose the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment, stating that there were no substantial and compelling circumstances to justify a lesser sentence.
“In delivering the judgment, Magistrate Pierre Wessel, agreed with the state that the accused abused his role as a caregiver and preyed on the vulnerability of the complainant. Furthermore, he said that the crimes he committed were brutal, and he showed no remorse for his actions.
“Moreover, he said that the sentence handed down will reaffirm the commitment of the court to hold perpetrators of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) accountable, especially those who betray familial trust,” she said.
Mahanjana said, therefore, the Magistrate said he found no compelling and substantial circumstances to deviate from imposing the prescribed minimum sentences. She said the NPA welcomes the sentence and hopes that it reaffirms to society their unwavering commitment to hold such perpetrators accountable and condemns such heinous acts of GBV.
The Guardian 