Uncle sentenced to life for rape of his 13-year-old niece

The Mokopane Regional Court in Limpopo has sentenced a 23-year-old uncle from Malepetleke village to life imprisonment for the rape of his niece aged 13.

The name of the accused is concealed to protect the victim’s identity as they are related. He pleaded guilty, admitting that on 29 October 2024, at his homestead, he entered the room of the victim and forcefully removed her clothes and raped her.

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The victim reported the incident to the nurses at the clinic, and upon examination, the rape was confirmed.  It was reported to the police who then arrested the accused.

In aggravating the sentence, state Prosecutor Takalani Sydney Mboyi submitted that the offence had affected the victim emotionally. She could not focus on her school.

MALEPETLEKE VILLAGE UNCLE SENTENCED TO LIFE FOR RAPE HIS NIECE

He further submitted that the accused was not remorseful and instead of being a protector, he betrayed the trust of his niece by sexually abusing her. He concluded by submitting that there are no substantial or compelling circumstances warranting the court to deviate from imposing the prescribed minimum sentence. Mboyi recommended that the prescribed minimum sentence be imposed. The court also sentenced the accused to life imprisonment.

Director of Public Prosecutions, Adv. Ivy Thenga has welcomed the sentence and says she stands firm against the abuse of women and children. She further praised the good work done by Mboyi and all other stakeholders involved in achieving this conviction.