The offender, 34, was sentenced to life imprisonment for raping his biological daughter, 12, in Allanridge on Sunday, 13 October, last year.

On the day of the incident, the victim was at her neighbour’s home when she was summoned by her father. On arrival at her home, the father called the victim to his bedroom, where she found him naked. He told her to undress and proceeded to rape her.

The matter was reported to the police, and the victim was taken for medical examination, which revealed the victim had been sexually violated, said provincial police spokesperson Sgt Palesa Thabana. The 34-year-old was subsequently arrested for rape.

The case was assigned to Sgt Sinah Mvundle of the Welkom family violence, child protection and sexual offences unit. Her diligent investigation, in collaboration with prosecutor Brian Montsho of the National Prosecuting Authority, ensured the accused was denied bail until the matter was set for trial, said Thabana.

On Wednesday (12/8), the accused was found guilty of rape and sentenced to life imprisonment.

Thabana said the conviction reaffirms the police’s commitment to create safer communities, to eradicate gender-based violence and to ensure perpetrators face severe consequences for their actions.

Statutory rape

Meanwhile, a Northern Cape man has been sentenced to five years’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years, for statutory rape.

“Calvinia’s family violence, child protection and sexual offences unit (FCS) was alerted by a department of health employee on 12 September 2024 about the pregnancy of a 15-year-old in Calvinia,” said provincial police spokesperson Sgt Molefi Shemane.

Const. Anthony Willemse of the Calvinia FCS attended to the complaint and immediately initiated an investigation. During his investigations, he established that the sexual offences lasted from 1 April 2023 until 12 September 2024, when the pregnancy was discovered.

Detective commended

The accused admitted during questioning to being the father of the unborn child and confirmed he had engaged in a sexual relationship with the minor. He pleaded guilty in the Calvinia Regional Court and was convicted of statutory rape, said Shemane.

“Northern Cape police remain resolute in their fight against crimes targeting women and children. The office of the provincial commissioner commended… Willemse of the Calvinia FCS for his diligence, which led to a successful conviction.”

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