A 46-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison for raping his 13-year-old stepdaughter.
The district commissioner of Lejweleputswa, Maj. Gen. Lerato Molale, has welcomed this conviction.
“The sentence comes during the 16 Days of Activism Against Women and Children campaign. This will send a clear cut message to would-be rapists that crime does not pay,” said Molale.
The incident occurred in December 2014. The 13-year-old girl was alone at home with her stepfather when he called her to his bedroom.
“He threw her on the bed and took off her skinny pants and underwear. She tried to scream for neighbours to come and help her but no one came. The girl was told that she will be beaten with a knobkerrie if she screamed again.
She kept quite and the stepfather took off her clothes and raped her. She was crying during this rape ordeal,” says Capt. Stephen Thakeng, media liaison officer for the Lejweleputswa police.
Thakeng says the victim dressed herself after the rape ordeal and ran for help.
“She was followed by the stepfather, but fortunately saw a passing police vehicle and ran to it for help. The stepfather was immediately arrested.
A case of rape was registered and was assigned to Det. WO Thabiso Twala of the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit who gathered and presented all evidence before the Welkom Regional Court. The stepfather was found guilty and issued a life sentence for rape, and five years for sexual assault.
