MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPING MINORS
19 NOVEMBER 2025
MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPING MINORS
Hanover, Northern Cape – The Hanover Regional Court has sentenced William Matheuws (27) to life imprisonment plus ten years for the rape and attempted rape of two minors. The incident occurred on 12 August 2023 when the accused was with both victims, who were only five years old at the time. A child from the neighbourhood alerted an elderly community member to check on what the accused was doing to the two minors.
Upon arrival, the elderly person, who later became the complainant in the matter, found the children, and both recounted what had happened. The accused had raped one child and attempted to rape the other. Due to the emotional trauma caused by the ordeal, the victim of the rape was unable to testify in court. However, the State, represented by Prosecutor Siphiwo Hanise, presented the testimony of the minor who experienced the attempted rape and witnessed the incident involving the other child.
Expert evidence from the medical doctor who examined the victim and compiled the J88 report, detailing all recorded injuries, further strengthened the State’s case and left no opportunity for the accused to evade justice. A Victim Impact Statement, prepared by the Court Preparation Officer, Sisanda Mdletyana, outlined the traumatic and long-lasting emotional scars left on the children, noting that such violence can severely disrupt a child’s development and may cause permanent psychological harm.
Considering all factors, the State argued that the court should impose the prescribed minimum sentence, emphasising that crimes committed against children will not be tolerated and that strong sentences are necessary to deter potential offenders. The prosecution also added that there were no substantial and compelling circumstances to justify deviating from the minimum sentence. The court agreed with the State and sentenced Matheuws to life imprisonment plus ten years. His name was also ordered to be entered into the Sexual Offenders Register.
The NPA welcomes the sentence and emphasises its strong message that crimes against women, children, and other vulnerable persons in society will not be tolerated. The Chief Prosecutor for the Kimberley Cluster, Advocate Keageletse Ilanga, praised the exceptional work of the entire prosecution team, from the dedicated prosecutors and committed CPO, to the SAPS members led by the Investigating Officer, for their unwavering diligence and professionalism. Their collective efforts ensured that the accused received a sentence equivalent to life imprisonment, sending an unequivocal message that the Justice System remains determined to confront and eliminate the scourge of Gender-Based Violence. "We hope that this sentence will bring closure to the victims and their families and offer some measure of comfort in knowing that the accused has been effectively removed from society through a life imprisonment sentence", said Chief Keageletse Ilanga.
Issued by:
Mojalefa Senokoatsane
NPA Regional Spokesperson
Northern Cape Division
073 423 3539