Olievenhoutbosch man gets two life sentences for raping girlfriend’s 10-year-old daughter

A 43-year-old Olievenhoutbosch man has been sentenced to two life terms for raping his girlfriend’s 10-year-old daughter twice, including a second time despite the child having suffered injuries during the first attack.

The Pretoria Magistrates’ Court also sentenced the man to 10 years’ imprisonment for two counts of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. The 10-year sentence will run concurrently with the second life sentence.

The court further ordered that the convicted man be placed on the National Register for Sex Offenders and declared him unfit to possess a firearm.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said the offences occurred in May 2020 after the girl’s mother travelled to Venda to visit relatives and left the child at her uncle’s home in Olievenhoutbosch.

The man collected the child on the same day and took her to the home he shared with her mother.

Later that day, he took the girl from her bedroom to his bedroom, where he undressed and raped her.

He then threatened to kill her if she disclosed the abuse.

The following day, after returning from work, the man showed the child a toy gun before dragging her into his bedroom, undressing her and raping her again.

The NPA said the second attack happened despite the child having sustained injuries to her private parts during the first rape.

The abuse only came to light months later.

On 19 December 2020, while the child was visiting her aunt in Diepsloot, the man arrived to collect her so they could travel to Venda.

When the child saw him at the gate, she began crying and disclosed the sexual abuse to her aunt.

The matter was reported to police that same day.

The man was arrested at his Olievenhoutbosch home on 22 January 2021 and remained in custody after the NPA successfully opposed his bail application.

During the trial, he pleaded not guilty and denied the charges.

However, State Prosecutor Advocate Corrine Sam presented evidence, including testimony from the victim, which proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.

During sentencing proceedings, the man asked the court to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence, arguing that he was a first-time offender and had four minor children dependent on him.

Adv Sam opposed the request, arguing that the offences were particularly serious and that the man had abused a position of trust.

He had taken advantage of the child’s vulnerability and the absence of her mother, while the girl regarded him as a father figure.

The prosecutor further argued that he had continued the abuse the following day despite knowing the child had already been injured.

The State also argued that the man had shown no remorse and had provided different versions of events.

A Victim Impact Statement, facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Chadd Wentzel, detailed the lasting impact of the abuse on the child.

She described difficulties trusting others, feelings of self-blame and the emotional trauma of being sexually violated by someone she regarded as a father figure.

In handing down sentence, the court agreed that the man had shown no remorse and had grossly abused the trust placed in him by the child’s mother and uncle.

The court also found that he had exploited the girl’s vulnerability and acted cruelly by using a toy gun to frighten her before raping her.

The court emphasised the responsibility of the courts to protect women and children and send a clear message that sexual violence would not be tolerated.

It found no substantial and compelling circumstances to justify deviating from the prescribed minimum sentence and imposed two life sentences for the rape convictions.

The NPA welcomed the sentence and reaffirmed its commitment to prosecuting perpetrators of gender-based violence and sexual offences against children.

The identity of the convicted man has been withheld to protect the identity of the child victim.