Two Northern Cape men handed suspended sentences for sexual offences against children

TWO NORTHERN Cape men have been convicted and sentenced in separate cases involving sexual offences against minor children, following investigations by police in Kakamas and Keimoes.

In one matter heard in the Kakamas Magistrate’s Court, a 24-year-old man was found guilty after an incident involving a nine-year-old girl in February 2024. The child had been playing outside her home with friends when the suspect accosted her and dragged her into a nearby vineyard. Her screams alerted community members, who intervened and came to her rescue.

The incident was reported to Kakamas SAPS, and the suspect was later arrested and charged with sexual intimidation.

In an unrelated case, the Keimoes Magistrate’s Court heard that a 12-year-old girl was sent to a nearby shop in the Keimoes area on the afternoon of Sunday, December 14, 2024. She was approached by a 42-year-old man who touched her in an inappropriate manner and attempted to silence her by offering to buy her a cold drink.

A case of sexual assault was subsequently registered at Keimoes police station, and the suspect was arrested.

Both accused made several court appearances before being found guilty. They were handed suspended sentences, declared unfit to possess firearms, and their names were entered into the National Sex Offenders Register.

The ZF Mgcawu district commissioner, Major-General Monica Sebili, praised Detective Constable Lesego Mokati and Detective Constable Nicola Esau of the Kakamas SAPS Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit for ensuring the swift finalisation of the cases and securing convictions.

Northern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Merapelo Pilane said SAPS remains committed to protecting children and ensuring perpetrators of crimes against minors are brought to book.