Postmasburg man gets life for raping girlfriend's 13-year-old sister left in his care

A 37-YEAR-old man has been sentenced to life imprisonment after he was convicted of raping his girlfriend’s 13-year-old sister, who had been left in his care in Postdene, Postmasburg.

Northern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Molefi Shemane said the incident occurred on September 18, 2022, when the victim’s sister left home to visit their mother in hospital.

"Instead of looking after her, he rather took advantage of the situation and he sexually assaulted and raped the girl at about 7.30pm. Upon her return from the hospital, the sister found the child extremely upset," said Shemane.

A case of rape was opened the same night after the victim reported the assault. The accused was arrested the following day, on September 19, 2022.

Shemane said the accused was found guilty and sentenced in the Postmasburg Regional Court. He received 20 years’ imprisonment and an additional life sentence for rape. The sentences will run concurrently.

"The accused was declared unfit to possess a firearm and his name will be entered into the National Register of Sexual Offenders. He was also declared unfit to work with children," he added.

The Northern Cape provincial commissioner, Lieutenant-General Koliswa Otola, welcomed the sentence and applauded the investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Gaolatlhe David Mongake attached to the Postmasburg SAPS Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit, for the thorough investigation that led to the conviction - ensuring that the accused is permanently removed from society.