MAN SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPE AND ROBBERY

04 September 2025

MAN SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPE AND ROBBERY

De Aar, Northern Cape – The Regional Court in De Aar has sentenced Lucky van Staden (52) to an effective 10 years of direct imprisonment for crimes committed against a 21-year-old woman in 2019. The sentencing was delivered today, 04 September 2025. Van Staden was convicted of rape, robbery with aggravating circumstances, and assault by means of threat. He received 10 years for rape, 10 years for robbery, and 12 months for assault, with the sentences ordered to run concurrently. The incident occurred on 06 May 2019, around 2:00 PM, when the complainant was sitting near the railway line. Van Staden approached her, brandished a sharp object, and demanded her phone and money. After she handed over her phone, he forced her to a nearby tree and raped her despite her pleas to stop.

Following the assault, two men assisted the distraught complainant, who immediately disclosed the incident and identified Van Staden, still nearby. When one man attempted to intervene, Van Staden threatened him with the same object. Fortunately, members of the South African Police Service Public Order Policing Unit (SAPS POPS), present in the area, apprehended him based on the victim’s confirmation.

Prosecutors Phakiso Thebane and Xolisa March presented a strong case, highlighting Van Staden’s extensive criminal record of 14 previous convictions, including four counts of attempted rape, one rape, and multiple violent offences, his last conviction being a decade ago. They argued his persistent pattern of violent sexual offending poses an ongoing danger to society. A Victim Impact Statement, facilitated by Trott Manghana, detailed the severe emotional and psychological trauma endured by the young complainant.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the Northern Cape reaffirms its commitment to prioritising gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) cases. Kimberley Cluster Chief Prosecutor Advocate Keageletse Ilanga praised the survivor’s courage, the prosecution team’s efforts, and the police and community members’ swift action, which ensured justice and removed a violent offender from the streets. Ends

Issued by:

Mojalefa Senokoatsane

NPA Regional Spokesperson

Northern Cape Division

Email: MSenokoatsane@npa.gov.za

Tel: 073 423 3539