COUSIN SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPING MINOR GIRL
18 June 2025
COUSIN SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPING MINOR GIRL
Watervaal, Limpopo – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the life imprisonment sentence handed down by the Watervaal Regional Court to a 25-year-old man from Tshiozwi for raping his minor cousin of nine years of age. To protect the victim’s identity, the accused’s name is withheld. This significant conviction, stemming from incidents in May 2019, reinforces the NPA’s unwavering commitment to combating gender-based violence (GBV) and ensuring justice for vulnerable children.
In May 2019, the victim, a minor girl, and her younger sister regularly visited the accused’s home after school to wait for their mother, the accused’s aunt, to finish work. On one occasion, the accused lured the victim into a bedroom under the pretext of changing her school uniform, where he raped her. He threatened her to remain silent about the assault. The following day, he raped her again, but was witnessed by the victim’s younger sister, who reported the incident to a cousin in 2021. The cousin alerted the authorities, leading to the accused’s arrest.
The accused pleaded not guilty, claiming he was framed. State Prosecutor Lebogang Maluleke presented compelling evidence, including a J88 medical report documenting the victim’s injuries, the younger sister’s testimony, and accounts of the family’s response. The prosecution highlighted the profound physical and emotional toll on the victim, who now suffers from insomnia, affecting her school performance. A victim impact statement detailed the lasting trauma and the family’s division, as some relatives opposed pursuing the case in court.
In aggravation of sentence, Prosecutor Maluleke argued that the accused, as the victim’s cousin, betrayed a sacred familial trust, exploiting his role as a protector. She emphasised his lack of remorse, evident in his denial, and the devastating impact on the victim and her family, noting that the incident fractured their relationships. Maluleke urged the court to impose the mandatory minimum sentence, citing no substantial or compelling circumstances to deviate.
The presiding magistrate condemned the accused’s actions, stating, “A cousin entrusted to care for his family instead became their predator, inflicting irreparable harm.” The court found the betrayal of trust, the victim’s vulnerability, and the accused’s unrepentant stance as aggravating factors. Aligning with the prosecution, the court imposed life imprisonment, emphasising the need to protect society and deter similar offences. The accused was also declared unfit to possess a firearm and ordered to be listed on the National Register for Sex Offenders.
Limpopo Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Ivy Thenga hailed the sentence as a triumph for justice, stating, “No child should endure such betrayal within their family. This conviction sends a resolute message: the NPA will relentlessly pursue perpetrators of GBV, ensuring they face the full might of the law.” Thenga commended Prosecutor Lebogang Maluleke, the investigating officers, and the Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC) team for their diligent collaboration in supporting the victim and securing the conviction. The NPA remains steadfast in its mission to eradicate violence against women and children, fostering public trust in the justice system.
The NPA applauds the courage of the victim and her younger sister, whose bravery in reporting the crime ensured accountability. This case underscores the critical role of family members and communities in supporting survivors and confronting GBV, even when it divides families. The NPA urges survivors to seek justice through TCCs, which provide medical, psychological, and legal support, and encourages communities to foster safe spaces for disclosure. By standing together, South Africans can break the cycle of violence and build a safer future for all children.
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Issued by:
Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi
NPA Regional Spokesperson
Limpopo Division
mmalabi@npa.gov.za
074 823 3603