The Provincial Police Management welcomes the 25 years sentence handed down to a 39-year-old stepfather by the Potchefstroom Regional Court on Monday, 26 February 2024, for raping his seven-year-old stepdaughter.
His conviction emanates from an incident that occurred on Saturday, 18 May 2023, at Greenfield Extension in Ikageng.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: DA Condemns Seven-Year-Old Learner Beaten With A Pipe Over R10 Contribution
The court heard evidence that a concerned neighbour went to visit the girl after she learnt that the girl was ill.
The girl, who was in bed, but home alone at the time of the visit, confessed to the neighbour that she was raped repeatedly by her stepfather.
The neighbour immediately reported this to the police and even accompanied the police to the victim’s house. She also accompanied the girl to the Thuthuzela Care Centre.
The accused was arrested only four days after the report was received by police on Wednesday, 22 May 2023, after thorough police investigations and he was never granted bail by the Court.
Moreover, the Court ruled that his name was included in the National Register of Sex Offenders in terms of Section 50 (2)(a) and Section 50(2)(b) of the Act.
He was declared unsuitable to work with children in terms of Section 120 of the Children’s Act 38 of 2005 and lastly, he was declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 102 of the Firearm Control Act 60 of 2000.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: 7-Year-Old Girl Points Out Man Who Raped And Gave Her R10 For Silence
The Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, congratulated the Investigating Officer, Sgt Cecilia Batantse of Potchefstroom Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) as well as Prosecution for their efforts and dedication, which resulted in the apprehension and sentencing of the accused.
He said the way this neighbour acted is an example of the “Your Child is my child” concept, where children are collectively nurtured and protected by the community.
