FATHER SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPING 8-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER IN LADYBRAND
11 July 2025
FATHER SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPING 8-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER IN LADYBRAND
Ladybrand, Free State – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the life imprisonment sentence handed down by the Ladybrand Regional Court to a 48-year-old father convicted of raping his 8-year-old daughter in 2020. The court also ordered his permanent inclusion on the National Register for Sex Offenders, reflecting the NPA’s unwavering commitment to combating gender-based violence (GBV) and protecting vulnerable children from heinous acts of betrayal.
In 2020, the accused, entrusted with the care of his daughter, raped her on two separate occasions, with the first assault occurring on her sixth birthday, a day meant for celebration. The court heard harrowing details of the premeditated crime, during which the accused cleaned blood from the victim’s private parts with an orange gauze bag to conceal his actions. In a further attempt to evade accountability, he opened a false criminal case against the victim’s now-deceased stepfather, deflecting suspicion from himself. The abuse came to light through the victim’s disclosure, supported by medical evidence confirming the assault, leading to the accused’s arrest by the South African Police Service.
The accused pleaded not guilty, maintaining his innocence throughout the trial.
The Regional Court Prosecutor Marie Yzel presented compelling evidence, including the victim’s testimony, medical reports, and a Victim Impact Statement (VIS) compiled with the assistance of a Court Preparation Officer. The statement detailed the profound psychological trauma and lasting fear inflicted on the victim, now scarred by her father’s betrayal. Yzel exposed the accused’s calculated efforts to cover up the crime, including the false case against the stepfather, and highlighted his complete lack of remorse, which further aggravated the offence.
In aggravation of sentence, Prosecutor Yzel argued that the accused’s actions were malicious and premeditated, exploiting his role as a father to violate the victim’s trust and dignity. She emphasised the devastating impact of GBV within families, urging the court to impose the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment under Section 51(1) of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 105 of 1997. The presiding magistrate delivered a scathing rebuke, stating, “A father’s sacred duty is to protect, yet this accused turned predator, inflicting unspeakable harm on his child.” Finding no substantial or compelling circumstances to deviate, the court imposed life imprisonment and ordered the accused’s inclusion on the National Register for Sex Offenders, ensuring lifelong consequences.
The NPA commends the extraordinary courage of the young victim, whose disclosure, supported by meticulous police work, secured this conviction.
The Free State Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Navilla Somaru praised Prosecutor Marie Yzel and Investigating Officer Tshepo William Olebile for their relentless dedication, stating, “This sentence sends a resolute message: the NPA will pursue predators who target children with the full might of the law, ensuring justice restores dignity.” The NPA’s collaboration with Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs) provided critical psychosocial support to the victim, reflecting its victim-centric approach.
The NPA urges families and communities to remain vigilant, report abuse promptly, and support survivors through TCCs, which offer medical, psychological, and legal assistance. This case underscores the devastating impact of familial GBV and the critical role of survivors’ voices in achieving justice. The NPA calls on South Africans to unite against the scourge of GBV, fostering safe environments where children are protected, and their constitutional rights to dignity and privacy are upheld.
Issued by:
Mojalefa Senokoatsane
NPA Regional Spokesperson
Free State Division
MSenokoatsane@npa.gov.za
073 423 3539