STEPFATHER SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPE OF STEPDAUGHTER
A 42-year-old stepfather from Bloemfontein has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Bloemfontein Sexual Offences Court after he was found guilty of raping his 15-year-old stepdaughter, who was doing Grade 8 at the time of the offence.
The state’s case emanates from an incident that commenced between October 2020 and December 2020, when the mother of the victim became sick and was admitted to Pelonomi Hospital for a month. Unfortunately, she later passed away. The stepfather started raping her on the first day of her mother’s being admitted. This carried on for 2 to 3 months.
The victim got sick and was admitted to a hospital. It was at the hospital that it was discovered the victim was HIV-positive. When relatives inquired how she contracted the disease and whether she had a boyfriend, the victim informed them that her stepfather had been raping her and had threatened to kill her if she ever told anyone. A case was opened, and the accused was arrested and charged with the rape of his stepdaughter.
During the trial, Regional Court Prosecutor Cwele put it to the court that the accused showed no remorse. He abused a child whom he trusted to protect, and knowingly infected her with HIV, and the court should sentence him to life imprisonment.
The accused was found guilty of the rape of a minor and sentenced to life imprisonment by the court on 24 January 2025.
The Prosecuting Authority remains the central pillar in the fight against the scourge of GBV&F, and it will continue to ensure that perpetrators are sentenced harshly for their crimes.
