By Teboho Moloi
QwaQwa – A 62-year old man from Makwane will spend the next 15 years behind bars for raping his two 10-year old sisters 33 years ago and fathering their children.
The Makwane Magistrate’s Court on Monday sentenced the man, referred to only as “Madala” to protect the victims, to direct imprisonment for one count of rape. The second charge was withdrawn after one of the sisters died in 2019.
Court papers revealed the abuse started in 1993 when Madala was 29. He repeatedly raped both girls over a prolonged period.
Although the sisters reported him to family elders at the time, no action was taken because their parent was terminally ill.
*Pregnancies, trauma and a 6-year fight for justice*
Police spokesperson W/O Mmako Mophiring told the court both victims fell pregnant as a result of the abuse. They each gave birth to boys who are now in their 30s.
The case only came to light in 2019 when one of the sisters, then 40, sought medical treatment for psychological trauma. Healthcare workers helped her open a case.
“One of the sisters has since passed away. The surviving sister is now 48, a qualified teacher, and continues to care for both young men. She is still receiving psychological treatment,” said Mophiring.
*18 years for uncle who raped niece*
In a separate ruling, the Phuthaditjhaba Regional Court also on Monday sentenced Sello Radebe (30) of Marakong to 18 years direct imprisonment for raping his 15-year-old niece.
The court heard Radebe drugged his stroke-stricken grandmother with sleeping tablets before attacking the girl at their home.
The victim testified the abuse began when she was 13 and continued for years. She finally confronted Radebe, asking when he would stop, before reporting him to a neighbour who took her to police.
The two sentences come amid growing calls for harsher punishment for gender-based violence in the Free State.
