NPA WELCOMES 20-YEAR SENTENCE FOR MAN WHO RAPED HIS BIOLOGICAL MOTHER

Carnarvon, Northern Cape – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the sentence of 20 years' direct imprisonment imposed by the Carnarvon Regional Court on a 22-year-old man for the rape of his biological mother.

The conviction and sentence follow a successful prosecution in a matter involving a gross violation of trust and bodily integrity.

The court heard that on 23 November 2025, the 42-year-old complainant and her life partner had been consuming alcohol and had fallen asleep when the accused returned from a friend's house, where he had also been drinking. Upon finding his mother and her life partner asleep, the accused undressed the complainant and sexually penetrated her without her consent.

During the ordeal, the complainant awoke and discovered her son on top of her. When she confronted him about his actions, he fled the house. The complainant subsequently informed her life partner of the incident, and the matter was reported to the police.

Following his arrest, the accused denied the allegations in a warning statement. However, DNA evidence subsequently linked him to the offence. Faced with the compelling evidence presented by the State, including the complainant's testimony and the DNA results, the accused ultimately pleaded guilty to the charge of rape.

State Prosecutor Xolisa March presented to the court a Victim Impact Statement (VIS) prepared by the complainant with the assistance of Court Preparation Officers Trott Manghana and Nicolene Moora.

In her statement, the complainant detailed the devastating emotional consequences of the offence, explaining that she had raised the accused as a single parent and felt deeply hurt and betrayed by the actions of her own son. She further indicated that she continues to receive counselling and experiences ongoing trauma, including difficulties sleeping as a result of the incident.

In aggravation of sentence, the State argued that the accused violated not only the complainant's dignity and bodily integrity, but also the fundamental trust that exists between a parent and child. The State further submitted that he deliberately exploited the complainant's vulnerability, knowing she was under the influence of alcohol and unable to adequately protect herself.

The State also placed before the court that the accused had recently been released on parole after serving a sentence for a dishonesty-related offence when he committed the rape. It was argued that this demonstrated a serious disregard for the law and for the opportunity afforded to him for rehabilitation.

While the court considered the accused's guilty plea as a mitigating factor, it found that the seriousness of the offence warranted a substantial custodial sentence and accordingly imposed 20 years' direct imprisonment. The court further ordered that the accused's particulars be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.

The NPA welcomes the sentence, which reflects the seriousness with which sexual offences are treated by the courts and the criminal justice system.

The NPA remains committed to ensuring justice for victims of sexual violence and to holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.

The NPA further encourages victims and survivors of sexual offences to report such crimes and to make use of the victim-support services available throughout the criminal justice process.

Issued by:

Mojalefa Senokoatsane

NPA Regional Spokesperson

Northern Cape Division