NELSPRUIT - A 39-year-old accused is expected to spend his entire remaining years of life behind bars. The accused was handed a hefty sentence following the rape of a 13-year-old minor in Mayflower, Mpumalanga in February 2019. His name cannot be revealed as he is closely related to the victim.

After the incident occurred, the victim notified her mother who involved the police without any waste of time and the police in turn immediately launched an investigation.

The case was transferred to Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) in Elukwatini. The investigators managed to crack the case after being led by the investigation to their suspect who is the step grandfather of the victim. He was then arrested as soon as it was discovered that the accused was the one behind this atrocious offence. He was apprehended on 12 November 2021 and made his first court appearance three days later. He (the accused) was denied bail and the matter was transferred to Chief Albert Luthuli Regional Court sitting at Elukwatini on 03 June 2022 where he was found guilty on 24 October 2022 hence his sentencing to life imprisonment on 14 December 2022. The accused was also found unsuitable to work with children and unfit to possess a firearm. Furthermore, the particulars of the accused will be entered into the National Register for sex offenders.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has gladly welcomed the sentence and applauded the dedication and cooperation displayed between members of the Investigation team, the Prosecution team and the Judiciary. The General further cautioned parents to be extra vigilant as some of these perpetrators happens to be their own family members.

Source: South African Police Service