A 37-year-old man has been convicted and sentenced to 18 years in prison for the rape of his 24-year-old sister in a case that spanned seven years in court.
The Phuthaditjhaba Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit, in collaboration with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), secured the conviction in the Phuthaditjhaba Regional Court on Thursday, 26 February 2026.
The court heard that on Sunday, 31 March 2019, the victim returned to her home in Thibella Village from a local tavern. She locked the door to her house and went to sleep. During the night, she awoke to find her brother touching her. The court found that fear prevented her from screaming. The suspect proceeded to undress and rape her multiple times before fleeing the scene through a broken door.
The victim reported the incident to the police immediately, leading to the suspect’s arrest and subsequent charge of rape. The trial, which lasted seven years, concluded with the Regional Court sentencing the accused to 18 years of direct imprisonment.