FREE STATE MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPING STEPDAUGHTER AND ASSAULTING FORMER PARTNER

12 September 2025

FREE STATE MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPING STEPDAUGHTER AND ASSAULTING FORMER PARTNER

Bloemfontein, Free State – The Bloemfontein Regional Court has convicted and sentenced Jan Dintwe (50) to life imprisonment for raping his 12-year-old stepdaughter and an additional 8 years’ imprisonment for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (assault GBH) against his former partner. The sentences are to run concurrently. The sentencing was delivered today, 12 September 2025.

The offences occurred on 20 September 2022, when the victim’s mother was working late, leaving her daughter with Dintwe. While the child watched television, he forcibly undressed and raped her, overpowering her despite her cries and resistance. Afterwards, he gave her R5 and instructed her to stay silent. The victim later wrote a letter warning him that she would report the abuse to her mother, teachers, or police if it recurred, expressing her love and fear of his imprisonment. On 24 September 2022, the mother found the letter while cleaning and confronted Dintwe that evening. He attacked her with a pickaxe handle, striking her head, and a violent altercation followed. He suggested resolving it the next day, but the mother reported the incident to the police, leading to his arrest.

During sentencing, the court considered a Victim Impact Statement by Court Preparation Officer Charidon Molt, detailing the severe trauma inflicted on the child. The presiding officer highlighted the gravity of crimes against vulnerable children and Dintwe’s breach of trust as her protector. Prosecutor Alexis Mpho Motloung argued for the maximum sentence, noting his lack of remorse, danger to society, and need for permanent removal from the community.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes this conviction and sentence, reinforcing the justice system’s commitment to protecting vulnerable victims, especially children, from sexual violence and domestic abuse. The NPA remains dedicated to ensuring perpetrators face the full force of the law, collaborating with law enforcement and communities to build a safer society while aggressively prosecuting cases that violate constitutional rights to dignity and privacy. Ends

Issued by:

Mojalefa Senokoatsane

NPA Regional Spokesperson

Free State Division

Email: MSenokoatsane@npa.gov.za

Tel: 073 423 3539