Ndudi Anyim
For defiling four minors in Western Cape, a 41-year-old.man has been sentenced to life imprisonment.
The suspect was arraigned at the Oudtshoorn Regional court on Wednesday, March 17, following several violent incidents that threatened the safety of four minors.
According to the Acting Western Cape Police Commissioner, Major General Thembisile Patekile, the first incident of violence was reported to authorities after the man took his son to the bathroom at their residence on a farm just outside Oudtshoorn on October 2019 under the pretence to cut his hair.
“ He stabbed the 17-year-old twice with a scissors before his mother came to his rescue. A case of assault with the intent to grievous bodily harm was later opened for Police investigation. Furthermore, two minors, both aged 14, reported incidents of rape and sexual assault to the Police in November 2019, after an incident at Toekomsrus, Oudtshoorn.
“ The man allegedly called the girl to his bungalow where he violated her. When she heard a family member outside, she made a noise and managed to escape. Further to this report, another girl alerted the Police of various incidents where the man also threatened and violated her over a period of time.
“ A third girl, 15, later also alerted the Police about incidents of rape involving the same man. A team of investigators attached to the Oudtshoorn Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences was assembled and following a thorough investigation arrested the suspect on various charges.
“ The accused who have family relations with the victims was convicted last month. He was sentenced as follows: life imprisonment for two counts of rape; 18 years imprisonment for rape; six years imprisonment for assault with the intent to commit grievous bodily harm and five years imprisonment for sexual assault, ” Patekile said.
He further thanked the detection and prosecuting teams for their diligence in securing the convictions and subsequent sentences.
“ The lengthy incarceration of the perpetrator should serve as deterrent to family members who use their family relationship with minors to violate them. They will face the full might of the law when reported, ” says Major General Patekile.