Wesselsbron:The Wesselsbron Regional Court has sentenced a 66-year-old man to life imprisonment following his conviction for the repeated rape of an 11-year-old girl.
According to South African Government News Agency, the sentencing stems from incidents dating back to 2024. Evidence presented in court revealed that on February 15, 2025, the young victim was visiting her grandmother in Monyakeng, Wesselsbron, when the accused, a person known to her, lured her to a bedroom and raped her.
The crime was witnessed by other minor children who saw the act through a keyhole and immediately alerted the victim's grandmother. This led to the police being notified. Investigations uncovered that the accused had previously assaulted the victim, with the first incident occurring on December 15, 2024. It was also revealed that the accused gave the victim money following each assault.
The case was investigated by Warrant Officer Mabote Lebone from the Welkom Family Violence Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit. The accused was arrested and, with the assistance of prosecutor Sephugu from the National Prosecuting Authority, was found guilty.
On October 22, 2026, Magistrate Randall imposed a life sentence and ordered that the accused be listed in the National Register for Sex Offenders. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm. Lejweleputswa District Commissioner Major General (Dr) Tholie Afonso praised the decision, emphasizing the zero-tolerance stance against crimes targeting women and children and the importance of upholding the rule of law.