Life behind bars for child abuser

A FATHER who raped his daughter on at least two occasions, one of which was on her sixth birthday, will serve a lifetime behind bars. 

The man, who tried to evade justice and accountability when he attempted to cover his reprehensible acts, was sentenced by the Ladybrand Regional Court and his name has been permanently entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.

This week, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomed the sentence handed down to the 48-year-old man, who pleaded not guilty, maintaining his innocence throughout the trial.

NPA spokesperson, Mojalefa Senokoatsane, said the sentence reflected the NPA’s unwavering commitment to combating gender-based violence (GBV) and protecting vulnerable children from heinous acts of betrayal.

“In 2020, the accused, entrusted with the care of his daughter, raped her on two separate occasions, with the first assault occurring on her sixth birthday, a day meant for celebration”, explained Senokoatsane. 

“The court heard harrowing details of the premeditated crime, during which the accused cleaned blood from the victim’s private parts with an orange gauze bag to conceal his actions. 

“In a further attempt to evade accountability, he opened a false criminal case against the victim’s now-deceased stepfather, deflecting suspicion from himself. The abuse came to light through the victim’s disclosure, supported by medical evidence confirming the assault, leading to the accused’s arrest.”

The NPA urged families and communities to remain vigilant, report abuse promptly, and support survivors through TCCs, which offer medical, psychological, and legal assistance. 

“The NPA calls on South Africans to unite against the scourge of GBV, fostering safe environments where children are protected, and their constitutional rights to dignity and privacy are upheld,” said Senokoatsane.