No Remorse: Tsakane Court Gives Four Life Terms to Child Rapist.

Warning: This story contains distressing details.

Tsakane, Gauteng – The Tsakane Regional Court has delivered a stern sentence, handing down four life terms to a 47-year-old man from Tsakane Extension 13 after he was convicted of four counts of rape against a then 13-year-old minor. The court ordered the sentences to run concurrently, ensuring the man will serve a lifetime behind bars for his heinous crimes.

In addition to the custodial sentence, the court has mandated that the offender’s name be added to the National Register for Sexual Offenders and declared him permanently unfit to work with children.

Horrific Abuse and Diagnosis

The abuse occurred on four different occasions between December 2015 and April 2016. The victim, a child battling cancer, would visit her elderly grandmother in Tsakane Extension 13 to help with household chores. The man, a family friend and neighbour, would call the minor to his house, rape her, and then threaten to kill her if she revealed the incidents.

The full extent of the crime came to light in October 2016. During a regular cancer treatment appointment, doctors discovered the 13-year-old was six months pregnant and had also contracted Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). When questioned by the doctor about the pregnancy, the child disclosed the repeated rapes by the family friend. The child’s mother immediately reported the matter to the police, leading to the man’s arrest in November 2016.

Conviction and Sentencing Arguments

The case faced initial complications, being provisionally withdrawn, but was successfully placed back on the court roll in 2020 via a J175 summons, leading to the trial. Despite the overwhelming evidence, the accused pleaded not guilty and denied the charges throughout the proceedings.

Regional Court Prosecutor Tholwana Jessica Khakhathiba successfully adduced compelling evidence that proved the man’s guilt. During the sentencing phase, the defense requested the court deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence, citing the man’s deteriorating ill-health since his incarceration.

However, Prosecutor Khakhathiba strongly urged the court to impose life imprisonment. She highlighted the accused’s complete lack of remorse, noting he maintained his innocence even after conviction. Khakhathiba emphasized that the man had committed “gruesome offences towards a defenseless child which was already suffering from a chronic illness.” She further stressed the irreversible harm caused, stating the man not only impregnated the minor but also infected her with HIV and stole her innocence.

Victim Impact and Judicial Finding

The prosecutor also read the Victim Impact Statement (VIS), facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Nothando Mbatha, into the record. The statement detailed the profound psychological, academic, social, and physical trauma the child suffered as a direct result of the rape incidents.

The court ultimately found that the aggravating circumstances far outweighed the mitigating factors, agreeing with the state that the accused showed no remorse. The sentence of four concurrent life terms was thus deemed appropriate and necessary.

NPA Welcomes the Sentence

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has issued a statement welcoming the sentence. The NPA hopes this outcome will serve as a strong deterrent to potential offenders and demonstrates their steadfast commitment to combating gender-based violence (GBV).

Issued by: Lumka Mahanjana NPA Regional Spokesperson Gauteng Division: Pretoria