Etwatwa Man Gets Life Sentence for Raping 12-Year-Old Niece
A 41-year-old man has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Benoni Regional Court for repeatedly raping his 12-year-old niece in Etwatwa.
The court also handed down an additional five-year prison term for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, which will run concurrently with his life sentence.
In addition to the prison term, the man’s name will be added to the National Register for Sex Offenders, and he has been declared unfit to work with children.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed that the offences took place on three separate occasions between October 2019 and June 2021.
At the time, the young victim was living with her grandparents and older sister.
The first attack occurred in October 2019 during a family wedding at the grandparents’ home.
When the child went to use an outside toilet later that evening, her uncle followed her inside, closed the door, and raped her before threatening to kill her if she told anyone.
He later raped and assaulted her on two more occasions when she was left alone at the house while her grandmother was at work.
The abuse was finally uncovered in June 2021 when the victim’s older sister noticed a change in her behaviour.
After her sister asked what was wrong, the child confided in her.
The sister immediately alerted their grandmother, who reported the matter to the police.
Following an investigation, the man was arrested on 26 September 2022 at Boksburg Prison, where he was already serving a five-year sentence for a separate sexual assault conviction.
During the trial, the accused pleaded not guilty and denied the allegations.
However, Regional Court Prosecutor Refiloe Neluonde presented testimonies from the older sister and the victim, who testified with the assistance of intermediary services, successfully proving the State’s case.
At sentencing, the defence asked the court to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence, noting that the man had already spent over three years in custody awaiting trial.
Prosecutor Neluonde opposed this, arguing that he had committed the crimes while out on parole, exploited his niece’s vulnerability, and betrayed the trust of their family relationship.
She added that he showed no remorse by continuing to deny his actions.
Acting Regional Court Magistrate Mamelo Mafisa agreed with the State, ruling that there were no substantial and compelling circumstances to justify a lesser sentence.
Gauteng Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Sibongile Mzinyathi, welcomed the outcome and praised Prosecutor Neluonde and investigating officer Warrant Officer Mafuko Alfred Shokwane of the Benoni Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit.
The NPA stated that it hopes the ruling sends a clear message that crimes against children will not be tolerated, while encouraging the public to report sexual offences to the police regardless of how much time has passed.
