Hanover man gets life sentence for rape, attempted rape of five-year-olds
A Hanover man was sentenced to life imprisonment for sexual offences committed against two minors.
Image: Independent Newspapers Archives / File
THE HANOVER Regional Court sentenced William Matheuws, 27, to life imprisonment plus an additional 10 years for the rape and attempted rape of two five-year-old children.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Northern Cape spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane said the offences were committed on August 12, 2023.
"A child from the neighbourhood alerted an elderly community member to what the accused was doing to the two minors. The community member reported the accused after he had raped one child and attempted to rape the other,” said Senokoatsane.
“Due to the emotional trauma caused by the ordeal, the children were unable to testify in court. State prosecutor Siphiwo Hanise presented the testimony of the minor who experienced the attempted rape and witnessed the incident involving the other child."
Senokoatsane added that a medical doctor who examined the children presented detailed evidence of the injuries sustained during the attack.
"A victim impact statement, prepared by the court preparation officer, Sisanda Mdletyana, outlined the traumatic and long-lasting emotional scars left on the children, noting that such violence can severely disrupt a child’s development and may cause permanent psychological harm.”
Senokoatsane said the court found that a harsh sentence was necessary to reflect the seriousness of the offences and to deter potential offenders. Matheuws was accordingly sentenced to life imprisonment for rape, with an additional 10 years for attempted rape. His name was also entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.
"The NPA welcomes the sentence and emphasises its strong message that crimes against women, children, and other vulnerable persons in society will not be tolerated."
The chief prosecutor for the Kimberley Cluster, Keageletse Ilanga, praised both the prosecution and investigation teams for securing the conviction and for sending an unequivocal message that the justice system is determined to confront and eliminate the scourge of gender-based violence.
"We hope that this sentence will bring closure to the victims and their families and offer some measure of comfort in knowing that the accused has been effectively removed from society through a life imprisonment sentence," Ilanga added.