A 41-year-old father was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Olifantshoek Regional court for raping his daughter who was 7 years old at the time of the offence.
Police spokesperson, Mashay Gamieldien said the incident occurred on December 31, 2016.
“The victim was seven years old when her father, the accused, who was 36 at the time, raped her in her bedroom at 3am on 31 December 2016 in Diepkloof in Olifantshoek.
“It was reported that the father undressed his daughter while she was sleeping, shoved her pyjama pants in her mouth to prevent her from screaming and then raped her. After the ordeal he threatened her that he would stop giving her lunch money should she tell anyone about the incident,” said Gamieldien.
She said the child told her mother about the incident almost a year afterwards.
“The victim informed her mother on November 9, 2017 about the incident and she reported the incident to the police. The accused was arrested on the same day but was released on bail during 2019. The accused was declared unfit to possess a firearm and his name was recorded in the National Sexual Offences register,” she said.
Gamieldien said the investigating officer was applauded for the sentence.
“The Provincial Head of the FCS units, Brigadier Nicky Mills applauded the Investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Maletsatsi Smous from the Kathu FCS unit, for the meticulous investigation of the case which led to incarceration of the perpetrator, especially during the period when we are supposed to be advocating for the safety and rights of children,” said Gamieldien.
