Online Reporter
A 62-year-old Free State man in South Africa has been sentenced to an effective 15 years’ direct imprisonment for repeatedly raping and impregnating his two younger sisters when they were children, following a successful investigation by the Phuthaditjhaba Family, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), the abuse began in October 1993 when the victims were both 10 years old, and the accused was 29. Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Mmako Mophiring said the girls were subjected to repeated sexual abuse over an extended period. Although they reported the incidents to family elders at the time, no action was taken because their parent was terminally ill. “The abuse continued over a prolonged period,” Mophiring said.
Both sisters later fell pregnant as a result of the abuse, and each gave birth to a son. The two sons are now in their 30s. One of the victims died in 2019. The surviving sister, now 48 years old and a qualified teacher, continues to care for both sons and has been receiving psychological treatment.
The breakthrough in the case came in October 2019 when the surviving victim disclosed the abuse while undergoing treatment in Pretoria, Gauteng.
“While receiving treatment in Pretoria, Gauteng, she disclosed the abuse to healthcare professionals, who assisted her in reporting the matter to the police,” Mophiring said.
The case was subsequently referred to the Phuthaditjhaba FCS Unit, where Detective Sergeant Mapitso Mofokeng led the investigation.
On Monday, the accused was convicted and sentenced to an effective 15 years behind bars.
SAPS confirmed that the identity of the convicted man is being withheld to protect the privacy of the surviving victim and the children. “The identity of the accused is being withheld to protect the identity and privacy of the surviving victim and the children, in accordance with applicable legal provisions,” the Mophiring said – IOL News
