Worcester Regional court handed a hefty sentence to Peter-John Adams (19), Rodney Beukes (20) and Austin Fritz (17) for rape and kidnapping yesterday, 30 August 2022.

On 26 August 2017, the then 23-year-old male victim was sitting around a fire with two friends, listening to music when the accused jumped a fence and forcefully grabbed him and dragged him to a new building in Bella vista, Ceres. They assaulted the victim and took turns raping him. He was held in the building for hours and the perpetrators refused to let him go. At around 02:30, he managed to escape and sought help. Four days later, three suspects who allegedly belong to the Ford Boys gang were arrested and charged for rape and kidnapping.

Peter-John Adams was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for both counts and he was declared unfit to possess a firearm.

Rodney Beukes was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for both counts and declared unfit to possess a firearm.

Austin Fritz was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment in terms of Section 77 of the Child Justice Act. Section 103 Act 60/2000, he was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

SAPS management in the Western Cape applauds Detective Sergeant Anthony John van Rooy of the Ceres Family Violence Child Protection Sexual offences Unit for his exceptional investigative skills in this case.

SAPS strongly condemns homophobic attacks and any perpetrator of such crimes will face the full might of the law. We hope this harsh sentence sends a strong message that such gruesome acts will not be tolerated in our communities.

Source: South African Police Service