FREE STATE — A 41-year-old father was sentenced to 15 years of direct imprisonment in the Phuthaditjhaba Regional Court for the rape of his biological daughter, marking a significant conviction secured by the local Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit in collaboration with the National Prosecuting Authority.
The offenses originated in December 2021 when the victim, then 13 years old, visited her biological father to establish a relationship, having not known him since birth. At the time, the accused was employed in Gauteng Province. During this initial visit, the accused sexually assaulted the child and explicitly instructed her to keep the incident a secret between them.
The victim later disclosed that the abuse persisted during subsequent visits when the accused returned home from Gauteng. In one particularly severe incident, the accused allegedly sexually assaulted the minor while threatening her with a firearm during a visit to his workplace in Gauteng Province.
The victim maintained her silence until April 9, 2023, when she revealed the abuse to her mother via social media. The mother, who was working in KwaZulu-Natal at the time, immediately returned home. She promptly took her daughter to a local clinic for a medical examination and subsequently to the police station, where a formal case of rape was opened, leading to the swift arrest of the accused.
On Thursday, September 17, 2026, the Phuthaditjhaba Regional Court finalized the matter. Presiding Magistrate Mr. Msimanga convicted the accused and handed down the 15-year direct prison sentence.
Following the sentencing, the Provincial Commissioner publicly commended the thorough investigative work of Detective Sergeant Tlaleng Mohale of the Phuthaditjhaba FCS Unit. The Commissioner also praised Prosecutor Ms. Nteo for her successful and diligent presentation of the case before the court.
In the wake of the sentencing, the South African Police Service reiterated its urgent appeal to victims of sexual offenses, particularly children, to break their silence and report incidents to law enforcement or a trusted adult. Authorities emphasized that early reporting is critical to enabling thorough police investigations and ensuring perpetrators are brought to justice.
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