| 2025/04/10 |
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Media Statement KIMBERLEY – Five Pofadder men are to be incarcerated for life after exploiting the vulnerability of a nine-year-old girl. The young child was orphaned after the passing of her mother and grandmother and was sadly raped by the five accused between 2017 and 2020. She was placed in the care of her aunt, who reported the incidents to the Department of Social Development in Pofadder, and subsequently, an investigation was launched by the SAPS. All the accused were arrested during September 2020, and bail was successfully opposed by the SAPS. The Upington High Court delivered a guilty verdict on 20 December 2024 and sentenced the accused on 10 April 2025 as follows: Accused 1: Waybril Gertse (41) – Life imprisonment Accused 2: Graham Gertse (31) – Life Imprisonment Accused 3: Virnit Priega (40) – 25 years’ imprisonment Accused 4: Alfonsus Visagie (55) – 18 years’ imprisonment Accused 5: Andre Magerman (34) – Life imprisonment. Furthermore, their names will be registered in the National Register for Sex Offenders, and they were declared unfit to possess firearms. Northern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola commended Detective Sergeant John Nortje from Pofadder FCS Unit for his unwavering dedication and meticulous investigation that led to these outstanding GBVF convictions. She reiterated that SAPS in collaboration with Prosecutors, will continue to fight the scourge of GBVF and commended the National Prosecuting Authority for their role in ensuring that no impunity is granted to the perpetrators of these heinous crimes. Ends
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