STEPFATHER SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT AND AN ADDITIONAL EIGHT YEARS FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES

19 NOVEMBER 2025

STEPFATHER SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT AND AN ADDITIONAL EIGHT YEARS FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES

Limpopo, South Africa - The Groblersdal Regional Court has convicted and sentenced a 40-year-old man from Vezinyao village in Dennilton, to life imprisonment for the rape of a 15-year-old minor girl and an additional 8 years imprisonment for sexual assault. The name of the accused is concealed to protect the identity of the victim and to avoid secondary victimisation of the child. The court further declared the accused unfit to possess a firearm in terms of section 103 of Act 60 of 2000, and unfit to work with children in terms of section 120 of Act 38 of 2005.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges, and the state led evidence of witnesses who testified that the accused and the victim’s mother were in a relationship as boyfriend and girlfriend. Between July 2016 and May 2017, at Vezinyao Village, the victim was sent to the accused’s house to collect relish, and upon her arrival, the accused took her to the bedroom and instructed her to undress and lie on the floor and raped her. He then threatened to hang or make her disappear in case she told anyone. In another incident, the accused was at his shop when the second victim, aged 13, came to buy a cold drink. While she was inside the shop, the accused started touching her breast and thighs inappropriately and pulled her skirt. The victim ran out of the shop and reported the matter to her school principal, who informed the social worker. A case was opened against the accused, who was arrested thereafter. He was also linked to the DNA and J88 medical report.

In aggravation of sentence, State Prosecutor Raesibe Sharon Malatji presented a Victim Impact Report compiled by Social Worker Tebogo Chauke, along with a pre-sentence report. They highlighted that the psychological and emotional trauma experienced by both the victim and the rape victim was severely affected to the point that she had to drop out of school, and she constantly lives in fear that the accused might harm her again. The state further argued that the accused’s conduct was selfless and deserved severe punishment. He was in a position of authority and was considered to be a trustworthy person by the victim’s mother; he violated the victim’s constitutional right to dignity, privacy, and freedom of a person. The state concluded by arguing that the aggravating circumstances outweigh the personal circumstances of the accused and that there are no substantial and compelling circumstances for the court to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentences.

The National Prosecuting Authority welcomes the sentences imposed. Director of Public Prosecution, Adv. Ivy Thenga is pleased to witness victims of Gender- Based Violence receiving justice as she stands firm against the abuse of women and children. She further praised the prosecution and other stakeholders involved in achieving these outcomes.

Issued by:

Mashudu Malabi

Regional Spokesperson-Limpopo Division

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)

Email: mmalabi@npa.gov.za

Cell no:074 823 3603