A 47-year-old Tsakane man gets four life terms for raping and impregnating a 13-year-old girl battling cancer. The Tsakane Regional Court delivered the sentence after finding the man guilty on four counts of sexual assault committed between December 2015 and April 2016.
The court ordered that the sentences run concurrently. The man’s name will be added to the National Register for Sexual Offenders, and he was declared unfit to work with children.
The ruling has been widely welcomed as a strong message against crimes targeting vulnerable minors.
A Pattern of Abuse Hidden by Threats and Fear
Between December 2015 and April 2016, the child regularly visited her elderly grandmother’s home in Tsakane Extension 13 to help with chores. During these visits, the neighbour and family friend lured her into his house, assaulted her, and threatened to kill her if she told anyone.
Read more about a related incident in Daveyton: GBV Case Opened in Daveyton After Brutal Assault on Woman.
The abuse continued over four separate occasions until the girl fell pregnant. At the time, she was already undergoing cancer treatment, making her especially vulnerable to exploitation and harm.
Discovery of Pregnancy During Cancer Treatment
The truth emerged in October 2016, when the child attended a routine medical check-up for her cancer treatment. Doctors discovered that she was six months pregnant and had contracted HIV.
Shocked by the findings, the medical team asked the girl how the pregnancy occurred. The child revealed that she had been repeatedly assaulted by a family friend. Her mother immediately reported the matter to the South African Police Service (SAPS).
The perpetrator was arrested in November 2016, but the case was provisionally withdrawn. It was reinstated in 2020 after the accused was summoned by a J175 court order, allowing the matter to proceed to trial.
Tsakane Man Gets Four Life Terms for Assaulting Minor: Inside the Courtroom
During the trial, the man pleaded not guilty, denying the allegations. However, Regional Court Prosecutor Tholwana Jessica Khakhathiba presented compelling evidence proving his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The prosecutor outlined the victim’s ordeal and detailed how the man’s actions destroyed the child’s health, innocence, and future.
When given the chance to mitigate, the defence requested leniency, citing the accused’s deteriorating health. However, Prosecutor Khakhathiba urged the court to impose the maximum penalty, arguing that the offender showed no remorse and continued to deny responsibility.
“Not only did the man impregnate the child, he also infected her with HIV and took away her innocence,” Khakhathiba told the court.
Victim Impact Statement Reveals Deep Trauma
The court also heard a Victim Impact Statement (VIS) facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Nothando Mbatha. The statement revealed the psychological, academic, social, and physical trauma the young survivor continues to endure.
The report highlighted the long-term effects of both the assault and the emotional distress of living with HIV while fighting cancer.
The court found that aggravating circumstances far outweighed any mitigating factors, citing the victim’s illness, young age, and the accused’s lack of remorse. The judge concluded that life imprisonment was the only fitting sentence for such a heinous and exploitative crime.
NPA Welcomes Sentence as a Victory for Justice
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomed the court’s decision, describing it as a clear stance against gender-based violence (GBV) and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals.
“We hope this sentence deters potential offenders and reinforces the justice system’s commitment to protecting children,” the NPA stated.
The case adds to a growing list of convictions highlighting the state’s intensified response to sexual offences, especially those involving minors and victims with health conditions.
Learn more about the recent arrest in Pretoria East: Man Arrested for Mamelodi Double Murder.
Community Reaction and Broader Implications
Residents of Tsakane expressed outrage over the case, calling for increased community vigilance and more support for victims of abuse. Advocacy groups emphasised the need for awareness programmes that teach children how to recognise and report abuse safely.
This case has also renewed discussions about the importance of fast-tracking sexual offence cases to prevent victims from reliving trauma over long legal delays.
Justice for the Vulnerable
The sentencing of the Tsakane man to four life terms for raping a minor battling cancer marks a significant victory for justice in South Africa’s ongoing fight against gender-based violence.
It stands as a reminder that no circumstance can justify the violation of a child, especially one already fighting for her life. While the young survivor continues her journey of healing, the court’s decision reinforces society’s duty to protect its most vulnerable.
