A 64-year-old man from Mamelodi, Pretoria has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the repeated rape of his daughter.
He raped the now 19-year-old teenager when she was just nine years old.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana says they welcome the sentence by the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court.
“When the victim turned 16, she fell pregnant, and the father gave her one R1 500 to terminate the pregnancy. In court, he asked for leniency, however, the NPA argued for life imprisonment. The court agreed with the state and found no substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence. This sentence reaffirms the NPA’s dedication to eradicating gender-based violence.”
Meanwhile, non-governmental organision, Agisanang Domestic Abuse Prevention and Training, says rape victims should receive therapy to help them process the trauma.
It says if not there are negative long-term effects.
The organisation’s monitoring and evaluation manager, Sidwell Sehoana, says: “The impact is that severe, especially when we are reflecting on children. Some they don’t do well academically and when they grow up they literally don’t do well in relationships. There are a number of things that are happening, hence often times we would normally encourage people to go for therapy.”
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-Additional reporting by Puseletso Mokeona
