NEIGBOUR SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPE OF A MINOR GIRL

27 June 2025

NEIGBOUR SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPE OF A MINOR GIRL

The Kwaggafontein Regional Court sentenced a 56-year-old man to life imprisonment for the rape of his neighbour’s minor girl (8) in Vlaklaagte 2. The accused pleaded guilty to the charge and was subsequently convicted of rape.
On 12 September 2020 the accused requested the victim from her mother to accompany him to collect empty cans for recycling purposes. Instead, the accused took the victim to his home and raped her. The victim’s mother noticed that the victim had gone for some time and called her. Upon hearing the mother calling, the victim managed to go outside the accused house and reported the rape. The police were informed, and the victim was taken to the nearest medical centre for treatment and necessary assistance.

The accused pleaded guilty in court. The state led by the prosecutor, Nicky Coetzee presented positive DNA results linking the accused to the offence. Prosecutor Coetzee argued that the accused dehumanised the victim by sexually violating her, he deprived her of her innocence, dignity and bodily integrity due to his heinous actions towards her. Coetzee added that the accused is not a candidate for rehabilitation and that he should be removed from the society.
The court imposed the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment under Section 51(1) of the Criminal Amendment Act 105 of 1997 finding no substantial or compelling circumstances justifying deviation. The court also ordered the accused’s inclusion on the National Register for Sexual Offenders, declaring him unfit to possess a firearm and deemed him unsuitable to work with children.

The National Prosecuting Authority welcomes the conviction and remains committed to vigorously prosecuting gender-based violence and related cases. This sentence underscores the seriousness with which the criminal justice system addresses gender-based violence.

Issued by:

Monica Nyuswa
NPA Regional Spokesperson
DPP Mpumalanga
013 0450625 / 0764855446
Email: mnyuswa@np.gov.za