A man on parole for multiple attempted rape convictions has been sentenced to life in prison by the Waterval Regional Court in Limpopo on Friday for the rape of an eight-year-old girl.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Mashudu Malabi said that on September 8, 2024, the victim went to an outside toilet when the accused pushed her to the floor.
Malabi stated that the accused silenced her screams by stuffing his T-shirt in her mouth. He then strangled her while he raped her.
“Her aunt, hearing calls, saw the child’s hands under the door. Upon opening it, she found the victim naked and the accused pulling up his trousers.”
Police were summoned, and the accused was arrested.
Malabi said the J88 medical report corroborated the victim’s account.
During the court proceedings, the accused pleaded not guilty.
In aggravation, State Prosecutor Lebogang Maluleke highlighted that the accused’s prior 2004 convictions for five counts of attempted rape resulted in 25 years’ imprisonment, proving no rehabilitation.
“As the child’s landlord, he abused trust and power, showing no remorse and leaving lasting scars on the victim,” said Maluleke.
Malabi stated that the sentencing was delivered on October 31, 2025.
The court declared him unfit to possess a firearm under Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000 and ordered his name to be entered into the National Register for Sexual Offenders.
The NPA welcomed the sentence and commended others involved with the case for securing the conviction.
“Sexual violence strips victims of dignity and privacy. The NPA fights back — hard,” said Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Ivy Thenga.
Last month, the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court handed a 39-year-old Olievenhoutbosch parolee a term of two life sentences for raping his 14-year-old neighbour twice in October 2021.
The crimes came to light in May 2022 when the victim confided in her mother about receiving money from the perpetrator after one of the rapes.
The man pleaded not guilty and claimed false accusations.
State Prosecutor Advocate Chester Molaba successfully argued against a lesser sentence, highlighting the accused’s prior rape conviction in 2009 and his lack of remorse, which Magistrate Themba Ndandwe agreed showed an ongoing danger to the community.
In reaction, acting Director of Public Prosecutions in Gauteng, Advocate Marika Jansen van Vuuren, praised the prosecutor’s handling of the case.
“All cases of sexual violence violate the rights to dignity and privacy of victims, as guaranteed in our Constitution; therefore, the NPA will continue to prosecute such cases vigorously,” she said.
The NPA highlighted the crucial role of its Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs), which provide holistic support to survivors of gender-based violence. In this case, the Laudium TCC ensured the victim received continuous psychosocial, medical, and legal care.
Gauteng NPA regional spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana urged families and communities to remain vigilant, report abuse promptly, and support survivors through TCCs.
“Parents and guardians are encouraged to recognise signs of abuse and take swift action to protect children,” said Mahanjana.
The authority also called on all South Africans to “unite against gender-based violence to create safe environments where children’s constitutional rights to dignity and safety are upheld, and perpetrators face the full might of the law”.
