A 31-year-old man from De Doorns has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for r*ping his 11-year-old disabled foster sister in the Cape Winelands, South Africa.
The Worcester Regional Court heard that the incident occurred in April 2019. The girl’s mother awoke during the assault and witnessed the man leaving the bed where her daughter was sleeping.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila stated, “The matter was reported to police the next day, leading to the accused’s arrest after DNA evidence linked him to the crime.”
State prosecutor Amisha Ratanjie presented several documents to the court, including the minor’s birth certificate, a report from Cape Mental Health, a pre-sentencing report, and a victim impact report.
In her address, Ratanjie urged the court to impose a life sentence, emphasizing that the accused had a duty to protect the victim, with whom he had grown up as siblings. She highlighted that he was fully aware of the victim’s age and mental disability, and had committed a betrayal that destroyed the trust between them.
The man’s name is being withheld to protect the identity of the victim, who is a minor.
Magistrate Abigail Juries sentenced the man to 25 years’ imprisonment, noting in his favor that he was a first-time offender and had been in custody for five years. The victim will be informed when he is eligible for parole.
“The magistrate concluded the accused lacked an understanding of the impact of his actions, necessitating life skills training in prison. The court mandated the offender undergo life skills training to comprehend the significant impact his actions have had on the victim and her family,” said Ntabazalila.
The man’s name has been entered into the National Register of Sex Offenders, prohibiting him from working with vulnerable people and children.
