UNCLE SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPE OF A MINOR

13 AUGUST 2025

UNCLE SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPE OF A MINOR

Limpopo- South Africa, A 29-year-old man from Bergenk was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment by the Polokwane Regional court for the rape of a 13-year-old girl. The accused was an uncle of the victim. The conviction and sentence emanate from the incidents between May and July 2020. The accused rape the victim on three occasions, twice at the victim's house and once at her grandmother's home. The victim was alone at all times. He raped the victim, threatened her with a knife and a pair of scissors and warned her not to tell anyone. She then told her aunt about the incidents and the matter was reported to the police. The accused was subsequently arrested.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge put against him, and the prosecutor, Vhodzulaho Mukosi, led the evidence of the victim, two aunties, and the doctor to prove the case.

In aggravation of the sentence, the Regional court prosecutor Vhodzulaho Mukosi argued that the victim was sexually assaulted by the accused, who is supposed to be an uncle and her protector. The accused violates the dignity and privacy of the victim. The state further submitted that the fact that the accused pleaded not guilty is sufficient to warrant not deviating from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment. The accused is not showing any remorse. The state concluded by submitting that the accused has demonstrated a lack of respect for women and that he is not a suitable candidate for rehabilitation, and that he should be removed from society permanently and also that there were no substantial and compelling circumstances warranting a lesser sentence.

The Regional court Magistrate Ms Felleng Ntilane agreed with the state that the victim suffered in a very humiliating manner at the hands of her uncle, who was supposed to protect her; instead, he abused her. The court further indicated that there are no substantial and compelling circumstances for the court to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment.

Limpopo Director of Public Prosecutions, Adv. Ivy Thenga welcomed the sentence and hopes that this sentence will indeed demonstrate the NPA’s dedication to holding perpetrators of gender based violence accountable. She also commended the good work done by the prosecutor and the Investigating Officer, Sergeant Moreroa of Westernburg police station.

For Media inquiries, Contact:

Mashudu Malabi

NPA Regional Spokesperson

Limpopo Division

Email: mmalabi@npa.gov.za

Cell: 0748233603