PEDOPHILE SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES AGAINST CHILDREN

Springbok, Northern Cape – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the conviction and sentencing of Jo-Ann Rochelle Klaase (45) by the Springbok Regional Court for multiple sexual offences committed against children in the Vioolsdrift area. Klaase was convicted on 33 counts involving children aged between seven and twelve years. The offences occurred between January 2022 and 29 November 2023.

She was convicted on six counts of compelled rape, eleven counts of attempting, inducing, instructing, or inciting a child to commit a sexual offence, seven counts of sexual exploitation of a child, seven counts of compelling or causing a child to witness a sexual offence, and two counts of sexual grooming. The court heard that Klaase was a trusted member of the Vioolsdrift community who regularly hosted church sermons and Bible lessons for local children. Through a plea agreement, she admitted occupying a position of trust in relation to the victims, with parents willingly allowing their children to attend activities at her home.

Klaase further admitted that she deliberately cultivated the children’s trust by providing them with money, sweets, snacks, and recreational outings. These actions were intended to gain their confidence and make them more susceptible to her influence. According to her admissions, Klaase used this position of trust to groom vulnerable children and lure them to her residence. She instructed, incited, and compelled children to engage in sexual conduct with one another, caused children to witness sexual offences, and exploited them for her own sexual gratification. The offences spanned an extended period and involved multiple child victims.

The court found that the accused systematically abused the trust placed in her by the victims and their families. What was presented as a place of religious guidance and community support became a site of grooming, manipulation, and sexual exploitation of vulnerable children.

The court imposed the following sentences on counts 1, 7, 9, 14, 16 and 26 (taken together for sentencing): 25 years’ imprisonment, of which five years were suspended for five years on condition that Klaase is not convicted of any offence under the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act 32 of 2007 during the period of suspension. On counts 2, 8, 10, 15, 17, 21, 22, 27, 29, 30 and 31 (taken together): 20 years’ imprisonment. On counts 3, 6, 12, 19, 24, 28 and 32 (taken together): 10 years’ imprisonment. On counts 4, 5, 11, 13, 18, 23 and 33 (taken together): 10 years’ imprisonment. On counts 20 and 25 (taken together): 10 years’ imprisonment.

In terms of Section 280 of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977, all sentences run concurrently with the 25-year sentence. The effective sentence is therefore 25 years’ imprisonment, of which five years are suspended. The court further ordered that Klaase’s name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders in terms of Section 50 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act 32 of 2007. She was also declared unfit to work with children in terms of Section 120 of the Children’s Act 38 of 2005 and unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000.

The National Prosecuting Authority commends the prosecution team led by Regional Court Prosecutor Basil Kock, as well as the investigators from the South African Police Service, for their dedication and victim-centred approach in securing this conviction. The Springbok Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC) also played a vital role in providing essential psychosocial support to the victims throughout the process.

The NPA remains committed to combating Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and the sexual exploitation of children. Through robust prosecutions and collaboration with law enforcement and support services, the NPA will continue working to hold perpetrators accountable and create safer communities for women and children.

Issued by

Mojalefa Senokoatsane

NPA Regional Spokesperson

Northern Cape Division