Tzaneen Magistrate court has on Friday 22 November 2024 sentenced a 56 year-old male accused to life term imprisonment for rape and an additional five years for assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm (GBH) incidents, involving a 14 year-old step-daughter.
The court noted that on 17 March 2020 at about 06:20, the victim departed from her residence at Kgapane location and went to her Aunt’s house after sustaining injuries on the forehead. The victim informed her that she was assaulted with a ring of the belt by her mother and also raped and assaulted by her stepfather on 28 July 2019.
It was further noted during trial that the victim told her mother about the rape ordeal but she ignored the complain.
The duo retreated to the victim’s residence at the same location and confronted her mother and stepfather who denied the allegations. The victim’s Aunt asked permission to stay with the young girl but the mother and step father refused and started to insult the Aunt.
The Aunt together with her niece ran out of the house while being chased by the two accused who threatened them. The matter was immediately reported at Bolobedu police and a 56 year-old was later arrested the same day at his residence.
The case was transferred to Tzaneen Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offenses (FCS) for further investigations. Warrant Officer Glenda Mathebula was assigned to investigate the matter and successfully managed to oppose bail against the stepfather.
Warrant Officer Mathebula later apprehended a 36 year-old mother for a charge of assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm (GBH) and failure to report a sexual offense against a child on 13 October 2020.
The female suspect was later released after being slapped with suspended sentences on all charges. The 14 year-old victim went to stay with her biological father until the accused was found guilty on 22 November 2024.
The court ordered the sentence on the following counts against accused number one:
Count 1: Rape – life imprisonment.
Count 3: Assault (GBH) – 5 years imprisonment.
Accused no 2:
Count 2: Failure to report a sexual offense against a child – 5 years wholly suspended.
Count 3: Assault (GBH) – 5 years wholly suspended sentence.
Count 4: Assault – Caution and discharged.
The Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has praised the good investigative work displayed by Warrant Officer Mathebula and all other role players for ensuring that the accused is permantly removed from the society.
