Uncle handed life term for raping four-year-old niece

A 43-YEAR-old man who raped his four-year-old niece was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Postmasburg Regional Court after the child was left in his care while her mother went to work.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane said the accused was living with the girl and her mother at the time of the incident.

“The girl’s mother was employed as a domestic worker in another area. She normally left the girl with the accused during the week when she went to work,” said Senokoatsane.

He added that on October 7, 2022, the accused took advantage of the situation and raped the child.

“The matter was reported to the police when the mother noticed that something was amiss with the child. After lengthy and difficult investigations, the accused was arrested. During the trial, the doctor testified that the child had suffered extensive injuries. Despite overwhelming evidence, the accused maintained his innocence and denied the allegations even after the child identified him as the person who had raped her.”

Senokoatsane stated that the regional court prosecutor, Moloi Kenneth Motsatse, pointed out that the accused misused his power to exploit the victim and that he showed no remorse for his actions.

“The uncle took advantage of the child when he knew the child and her family trusted him. He betrayed an innocent soul when he should have protected her.

“The court was satisfied with the evidence adduced by the State witnesses, especially the minor child, who spoke without any fear or hesitation.”

Senokoatsane added that the NPA remained committed to the fight against the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).

SAPS Northern Cape spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Sergio Kock stated that besides the life sentence, the accused’s name was also entered into the national register for sexual offenders.

The provincial commissioner of the SAPS in the Northern Cape, Lieutenant-General Koliswa Otola, commended the investigating officer, Detective Sergeant DG Mongake from the Postmasburg Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit, for his thorough investigation of the case.

Otola reiterated that the police remain committed to protecting the most vulnerable citizens of society.