A 55-year-old man was recently sentenced to seven years imprisonment in the Upington Magistrate’s Court for the rape of his 15-year-old granddaughter.
The victim was staying with her grandparents and during the night of 13 August 2023, she went to use the toilet around 00:30 when her grandfather raped her.
The victim told her grandmother about the incident, and it was reported to the police.
The accused was arrested the same day and charged with rape. He was denied bail and remained in custody during the period of trial, said Sgt Omphile Masegela, police spokesperson in the ZF Mgcawu District.
- In another incident, a 43-year-old man from Galeshewe was handed life sentence by the Galeshewe Regional Court following the rape and attempted rape of his 17-year-old stepdaughter 2017 and 27 June 2020.
Sgt Timothy Sam, police spokesperson in the Northern Cape, said the court heard that in 2017, when the victim was 14-years-old, the accused entered her room, closed her mouth with a cloth and raped her.
He threatened to kill her and her mother if she divulged the incident to her mother.
On Saturday, 27 June 2020, the accused again attempted to rape the victim who then was 17 years old. His act was derailed by the victim’s mother who summoned the police to effect his arrest.
The court found the accused guilty as charged and sentenced him to life imprisonment for rape and ten years for attempted rape. It was instructed that his name be recorded in the National Register for Sex Offenders.
- In Upington, a 30-year-old man, who is the uncle of his 13-year-old victim, was sentenced earlier in May to 18 years imprisonment, of which three years were suspended for five years, after he was found guilty of rape.
The sentence followed the victim reported to her mother that her uncle has been raping her since the age of five. Most of the incidents happened when she arrived home from school. The matter was reported to the police and the victim underwent medical assessment which confirmed that she was indeed raped, said Masegela.
Promoting child protection
In promoting child protection awareness, members of several units of the South African Police Service (SAPS) visited school in Pampierstad, Galeshewe, Barkly West and Kimberley from 20 to 22 May.
The team addressed more than 3 000 Gr. 4 to Gr. 6 learners regarding general bullying, cyber bullying, sexual offences, teenage pregnancy, dangerous weapons, substance abuse, and school discipline.
- The learners were warned about speaking to and accepting lifts from strangers and they were alerted about the dangers of using public transport alone.
- They were reminded of their right to be protected, treated with dignity, not to be human-trafficked, to be able to go to school, to be cared for, and not to be treated cruelly.
- The learners were encouraged to not keep secrets about abuse and to report it to a caregiver, parent, teacher, family member or police.
- Information about recent crimes such as indecent exposure at school and on social media was shared, as well as the consequences thereof.
- The children were reminded to protect and respect their bodies and that of others.
The campaign forms part of the police recognising Child Protection Month, under the theme “Protecting South African Children, 30 years on”.
- To report a crime, dial 086 00 10111.
- Call Childline for help on 080 005 5555.
“If you see something, say something!”, emphasised Lt. Col Sergio Kock, police spokesperson.
