Stepfather gets four life terms for raping, impregnating 12-year-old stepdaughter. Image: SABC
(The Post News)- A 37-year-old man who repeatedly raped and later impregnated his 12-year-old stepdaughter has been sentenced to four life sentences in the Fraserburg Regional Court. Reports indicate that the man argued that sex between them had been consensual. Allegedly, he started raping the child when she was 10 years old.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in the Northern Cape Mojalefa Senokoatsane notes that the man was married to the victim’s mother. He started raping the child between 2017 and 2020 when they lived together as a family.
“He would wait until the household was asleep, rape her, and threaten her to remain silent. Terrified, the victim kept the abuse hidden for several years. In 2020, her mother observed that she had gained weight and took her to a clinic, where it was discovered that she was pregnant. Following this, the victim revealed the abuse, leading to a police report and the arrest of the perpetrator. Senokoatsane said.
Rape Convict’s Repeated Change of Lawyers Delays Case
According to Senokoatsane, the trial was postponed for several years due to the perpetrator repeatedly changing lawyers, but it eventually commenced this year. ” He denied the rape allegations, saying that she had consented from the age of 12, a claim the court dismissed as unfounded.
“Prosecutor Darryl Bromkamp presented strong witness evidence, prepared by court preparation officer Marjorie De Wee, which the court deemed credible. The accused’s testimony was rejected, resulting in convictions on all four charges,” he said.
Senokoatsane added, “In mitigation, the defense argued that the perpetrator’s time in custody justified a departure from minimum sentences. In contrast, Bromkamp highlighted the breach of trust as a stepfather and presented a victim impact statement from De Wee, which described the victim’s profound and lasting trauma.
“The prosecution recommended life sentences, a ban on working with children, a firearm prohibition, and inclusion in the National Register for Sex Offenders. The court, finding no substantial or compelling reasons to deviate, sentenced the perpetrator to life imprisonment on all four counts and issued the requested orders, noting the severe impact on the raped victim and her family.”
Provincial police spokesperson Ivan Magerman stated that the man had worked as a preacher in his church. “This sentence reflects the seriousness of these rape crimes and serves as a strong deterrent to potential offenders. It also demonstrates our unwavering commitment to protecting vulnerable children and ensuring that perpetrators of crimes against minors face the full consequences of the law,” Magerman said.
The Northern Cape office of the director of public prosecutions praised the sentence, calling it a victory for justice and child protection, and stating that it sends “a clear message that those who rape vulnerable individuals will face the full force of the law.”
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