QWAQWA – A 20-year old man from Bluegumbosch who raped his 12-year old stepsister on three occasions and impregnated her has walked out of court a free man.
The Phuthaditjhaba Regional Court on Monday, 19 October, sentenced him to five years imprisonment – wholly suspended for five years.
This means he will not spend a single day in jail unless he commits a similar offence within the next five years.
The court heard that the accused raped his minor stepsister three times in 2020, when she was just 12 years old.
The horror only came to light after the victim fell pregnant.
Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Mmako Mophiring said the young girl suffered in silence and never reported the abuse.
“Her mother noticed something was wrong and questioned her about her menstrual cycle. Although the victim initially indicated that she was still menstruating, her mother became concerned and took her to a local clinic,” said Mophiring.
It was at the clinic where it was discovered that the child was pregnant.A rape case was immediately opened. The pregnancy was later legally terminated at a local hospital.
The accused was arrested, tried and found guilty of rape.Police have not explained why they are withholding the identity of the convict.
