De Aar man jailed for kidnapping, raping 17-year-old girlfriend

A 26-YEAR-old man, Hilton Jafta, was handed an effective 10-year prison sentence by the De Aar Regional Court after he was convicted of rape, kidnapping and statutory rape involving a 17-year-old girl.

The incident took place in Sunrise, De Aar, during the evening of October 26, 2024, when Jafta forcefully took the girl to his residence while threatening her with violence.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Northern Cape spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane said Jafta was the boyfriend of the complainant and the father of her child.

“During the trial, State prosecutor Xolisa March told the court that the complainant, who was 17 years old at the time of the incident, was assaulted and dragged into the accused’s house,” said Senokoatsane.

“The girl testified that he locked her inside the residence and proceeded to rape her. The complainant screamed for help during the ordeal, which prompted a neighbour to report the matter to the South African Police Service. Police officials responded promptly, rescued her and arrested the accused.”

Senokoatsane said that during the trial it emerged that the complainant had submitted a withdrawal statement, indicating that she no longer wished to proceed with the matter.

“However, through the intervention and support of court preparation officer Trott Manghana, the complainant was encouraged and assisted to continue with the prosecution.”

He added that in determining an appropriate sentence, the court considered that Jafta was a first offender, that he had made an admission of guilt and that he had spent two years in custody awaiting trial.

“The complainant had indicated that she had forgiven him. The court found him guilty on all three charges of rape and statutory rape and sentenced the accused to 15 years’ imprisonment, of which five years were wholly suspended for five years.”

Senokoatsane said the NPA would continue to prioritise the prosecution of perpetrators who exploit and abuse children.

“The scourge of gender-based violence and femicide continues to devastate families and communities across the country. Of particular concern is the persistent abuse and exploitation of young girls by older men who prey on their economic vulnerability, normalising unlawful relationships that are clearly prohibited by law. These harmful practices, often tacitly accepted or ignored within communities, expose minors to violence, trauma, and lifelong consequences,” he said.