WESTERN CAPE – Provincial Commissioner of the Western Cape, Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile, welcomed the lengthy incarceration of 54 years handed down to a 62-year-old man at the Oudtshoorn Regional Court on Wednesday, 02 November 2022. His conviction and subsequent sentencing on charges of rape, sexual assault and possession of child pornography is a major boost in the fight against Gender Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF).

Investigation into allegations of sexual related incidents which commenced during 2003. The probe revealed, a 13-year-old victim went to visit the couple at their residence during 2003 when he touched her private parts. He later took the girl to his church office where he also violated her. After threats from the suspect she left Oudtshoorn and was later contacted by a second victim who had a similar experience with the man. She made alarm and reported it to the police. 

Further investigation revealed that the second victim (14) was adopted by the couple and was violated by the man on numerous occasions since 2011. He also forced the victim to watch pornographic material with him. A search of his premises led to the confiscation of electronic equipment and child pornographic material.

The accused (62) was subsequently arrested during 2018 on mentioned charges, convicted and sentenced after a lengthy trial as follow:

·       Rape: Three counts – 40 years’ imprisonment
·       Sexual Assault: Four counts – 14 years’ imprisonment
·        Possession of child pornography: 24 counts – 5 years’ imprisonment

Lt General Patekile applauded detectives attached the Oudtshoorn Family Violence, Child protection and Sexual offences(FCS) unit and the prosecution team for their efforts which ensured a lengthy incarceration of the perpetrator. He said, “This lengthy incarceration is a boost for policing efforts in the fight to eradicate the scourge of GBVF which threatens the safety of the most vulnerable in society. Policing efforts which includes the bolstering of awareness campaigns on this epidemic in the anticipation of the 16 Days of Activism which will be launched later this month”.

Source: South African Police Service