LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR FATHER ACCUSED OF RAPING DAUGHTER
The De Aar Regional Court sentenced a 38-year-old, to life imprisonment for the rape of a 19-year-old biological daughter. On Sunday 11 September 2022, the victim went to a family funeral and later, the family had a gathering whereby liquor was consumed. It is alleged that between the hours of 20:00 and 21:30, the victim felt that she was tired, and she decided to go home. When she arrived found the main house locked and she decided to go and sleep at her father’s shack, which is at the back of the main house.
The accused arrived later, and he went into the shack as well, and when he found the victim in his shack, he started to rape her. The victim tried to scream but the accused told her to keep quiet. After he finished raping her, the victim managed to leave the shack and went to report the matter to the police. The accused was arrested on 12 September 2022, and made his first appearance on the same day, but did not wish to apply for bail. On 29 September 2022, the accused voluntarily approached Sergeant Eksteen, who was the Investigating Officer for the case, and he informed him that he wanted to give a confession, which was taken from the accused.
On 27 October 2022, the accused pleaded guilty in the De Aar Regional Court to the charge of rape, and the Court sentenced him to life imprisonment. The Court further instructed that the accused’s name be recorded in the National Register for Sex Offenders and be declared unfit to possess a firearm. The Regional Court Magistrate Abrims, when sentencing the accused expressed how satisfied with the speedy timeframe in which the case was finalised. The Regional Court Prosecutor Adv. Corrie Jonker stressed that the accused knew that what he was doing was unacceptable, since he is the victim’s biological father, and he had the propensity to commit violent crimes.
The National Prosecuting Authority applauds the Prosecutor, as well as the Investigating Officer for ensuring that the case was handled with all the professionalism that it required and how speedily it was concluded to ensure that the accused is sentenced to the maximum sentence applicable for such an offence.
