| 2024/09/13 |
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Media Statement WESTERN CAPE – The relentless investigation by members attached to the Hermanus Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) led to the arrest of a 54-year-old suspect on a charge of rape. Preliminary reports suggest that on Tuesday 15 December 2020, the complainant visited the suspect’s house in Lindsord Street Hermanus, to collect shoes as she was invited by him. The suspect was known to the community of Hawston as someone who donates clothes to those in need. The suspect was also a pastor and community leader. According to reports the victim arrived at the suspect’s house where he forced her into his bedroom and covered her nose and mouth with his hand. The 16-year-old victim by then lost her consciousness and woke up later and discovered that she was naked. She never reported the incident. This was reported when the victim’s father noticed that the girl was pregnant, and suspected it might be due to rape. The victim’s father confronted the suspect and he denied everything. When the baby was finally born the suspect was linked through DNA as the father of the baby. The 54-year-old man was then arrested on a charge of rape. Western Cape Provincial Commissioner. Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile, hailed the investigating team for their outstanding work. He says that there is no shame in reporting sexual offences and woman’s rights are on the top priority list of crimes against women and children. “Your right as a victim will always be respected and protected and victims will be treated with the utmost respect and dignity. She/he will be interviewed by a trained police official with the necessary sensitivity. On Tuesday 10 September 2024, Hermanus Regional court handed down 22 years’ direct imprisonment on Marshall Dicks on a charge of rape.
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