Limpopo: Limpopo Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has expressed approval of the life imprisonment sentence given by the Giyani Regional Court to a 31-year-old man for the rape of his 10-year-old relative. The court proceedings revealed that the incident took place when the victim’s mother left her daughter in the care of her cousin while she went to a local shop.

According to South African Government News Agency, upon the mother’s return from the shop, she discovered her daughter in a vulnerable state. After questioning her, the child disclosed that the accused had taken her to his bedroom, committed indecent acts, and subsequently raped her. The incident was promptly reported to the police, leading to the registration of a rape case. The case was then transferred to the Giyani Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit for further investigation.

Detective Sergeant Maropeng Mashapa was assigned to the case docket. The polic
e successfully traced and arrested the accused. The court sentenced the accused on Thursday for the crime committed against his cousin at Phikela village in Giyani on November 13, 2020. Following thorough police investigations, the accused was found guilty of all charges and was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Lieutenant General Hadebe commended the investigating officer and all other involved parties for their diligent work on the case, acknowledging their efforts and contribution to securing a conviction.