Pretoria man sentenced for raping stepdaughter (9)

A 36-year-old man from Hercules, west of Pretoria, has been handed a life term behind bars after being convicted for the rape of his nine-year-old stepdaughter, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has said.

Magistrate Johanna Mthimunye of the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court convicted him of rape on 13 April 2022. His identity has been withheld and is referred to as ‘Mr X’ to protect the identity of the minor involved.

“On Sunday 05 January 2019, the minor and her mother had gone to church. During the service a pastor of the church prophesied that the child had been sexually assaulted by a 33-year-old male when she was 9 years old. After church on their way home, the child confessed to the mother that indeed the stepfather had been sexually assaulting her over a period of a year when the mother had gone to work at night and she was left in his care,” said NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana.

When the mother confronted Mr X about the allegation, he denied them. The next morning, both Mr X and the woman took the child to a doctor at Laudium Hospital were the child was examined. Doctors were able to confirm that the girl had been sexually assaulted.

“After the child spoke to the social workers, police were called and Mr. X was arrested at the hospital. He has been in custody since the NPA successfully opposed bail. In court Mr. X pleaded not guilty to the charge against him”

NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana

‘MR X’ THREATENED STEPDAUGHTER IF SHE REPORTED RAPE

When the matter went to trial in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court, the state prosecutor Tumi Phongola, told the court that rape is a scourge that is unfortunately prevalent in our society, degrading and humiliating, especially on vulnerable children.

Phongola also asked the court to take into consideration the seriousness of the offence and the interest of society when imposing a sentence, because Mr X took advantage of a 9-year-old girl and threatened her life if she reported the rape.

“In delivering her sentence Magistrate Mthimunye agreed with the state that Mr X took advantage of a child who regarded him as a father and that he deserves no other sentence but that of life imprisonment”

“The Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Sibongile Mzinyathi thanks the assistance of the pastor and community leaders for their contribution to ensuring justice for the child. This is a very good example that reflects the role of all members of society to protect children from harm. He also congratulated the police for their investigation and the outstanding work of the prosecutor in fighting for justice for the child and her family”

NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana