Convicted Rapist Sentenced to Life in Pretoria; Child Victimized in 2021 BODY: Johannesburg, South Africa – A 41-year-old scholar transport driver from Mamelodi, Pretoria, was handed a life sentence by the Pretoria Regional Court for raping a nine-year-old child, a case that has drawn national attention and underscored the severity of child sexual abuse in South Africa.
The incident, which dates back to June 2021, involved the driver inviting the child and her seven-year-old brother to his home. After dropping off the younger sibling, the driver locked the door, undressed himself and the child, and committed the crime. He threatened the child’s mother with death if the attack was revealed and provided the children with R4 to buy chicken heads before they left.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana detailed the case, emphasizing the exploitation of the child’s vulnerability.
The child only disclosed the crime to her mother a month later. Despite the man’s plea of not guilty and his denial of the offense, the court found no substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence.
The conviction and sentence serve as a stark reminder of the nation’s commitment to protecting its youth and the importance of comprehensive measures against child sexual abuse.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: enca
Source: Zandile.Khumalo
