BOTHAVILLE MAN SENTENCED TO TWO LIFE TERMS FOR RAPING HIS TWO NIECES

Bothaville, Free State – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has welcomed the sentencing of a Bothaville man to two life imprisonment terms for the rape of his two minor nieces.

The accused voluntarily presented himself at the Bothaville Police Station and confessed to having sexual intercourse with the two children, who were living with him and his wife, between 2017 and 2018.

Police immediately followed up on the confession by visiting the home and interviewing the victims. The older child, now a teenager, confirmed that the accused had raped her, while the younger child could not recall the incidents.

The accused was arrested and subsequently pleaded guilty in the Bothaville Regional Court to two counts of rape, read with section 51(1) of the Criminal Law Amendment Act. During his plea, he claimed that a tortoise had whispered in his ear, compelling him to commit the offences.

In aggravation of sentence, Prosecutor Tshegofatso Lebitsa argued that the crimes were particularly heinous as they involved a gross breach of trust. The accused had exploited the vulnerability of his own nieces' children, whom he was duty-bound to protect instead of safeguarding and caring for them.

The State submitted that no substantial and compelling circumstances existed to justify a lesser sentence than the prescribed minimum of life imprisonment on each count.

The court agreed with the State’s submissions and sentenced the accused to life imprisonment on each of the two counts of rape.

The NPA remains resolute in its fight against gender-based violence (GBV) and the sexual abuse of children. Even where an accused pleads guilty, the prosecution will continue to place all relevant facts before the court and argue for sentences that are just, proportionate, and reflective of the seriousness of the offences, the harm suffered by victims, and the interests of society.

The NPA commends the diligent work of the South African Police Service and the prosecution team in securing this outcome.

Issued by

Mojalefa Senokoatsane

NPA Regional Spokesperson

Free State Division