PAROLEE SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPE OF 8-YEAR-OLD GIRL
31 October 2025
PAROLEE SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPE OF 8-YEAR-OLD GIRL
Waterval, Limpopo – The Waterval Regional Court has convicted and sentenced Bishop (41) from Musina, a parolee, to life imprisonment for raping an 8-year-old girl. The sentencing was delivered today, 31 October 2025. The court declared him unfit to possess a firearm under Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000 and ordered his name entered into the National Register for Sexual Offenders.
Bishop pleaded not guilty. On 08 September 2024, the victim went to an outside toilet when he pushed her to the floor, raped her, and stuffed his T-shirt in her mouth to silence her screams while strangling her. Her aunt, hearing calls, saw the child’s hands under the door. Upon opening it, she found the victim naked and Bishop pulling up his trousers. Police were summoned, and he was arrested. The J88 medical report corroborated the victim’s account.
In aggravation, State Prosecutor Lebogang Maluleke highlighted Bishop’s prior 2004 convictions for five counts of attempted rape, resulting in 25 years’ imprisonment, proving no rehabilitation. As the child’s landlord, he abused trust and power, showing no remorse and leaving lasting scars on the victim.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the sentence. Director of Public Prosecutions Adv. Ivy Thenga stated, “Sexual violence strips victims of dignity and privacy. The NPA fights back—hard.” She commended Maluleke and stakeholders for securing the conviction. Ends
Issued by:
Mashudu Malabi
Regional Spokesperson - Limpopo Division
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)
Email: mmalabi@npa.gov.za
Tel: 074 823 3603