The SAPS management welcomes the harsh sentence handed down to rape accused Benjamin Geswindt.
On 5 June 2022, the 22-year-old mentally challenged victim was walking alone in Calvinia West when she was lured by the accused to an open field near Hantam High School and raped.
A witness alerted the victim’s father.
A case was opened, the accused was arrested immediately, and bail was successfully opposed.
On 11 July 2023, the Calvinia Magistrate’s court convicted and sentenced 42-year-old Benjamin Geswindt to twenty eight years imprisonment of which eight years was suspended for five years, on condition he is not found guilty of a similar offence.
The accused will therefore serve an effective twenty (20) years in prison.
The suspect was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
The unit commander D/WO Charl Blignaut applauded the investigation officer D/Constable Jacques Nielsen for his thorough and meticulous investigation which led to the hefty sentence.
The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola indicated that these sentences are a clear indication that violence perpetrated against the vulnerable members of society will not be tolerated, especially women and children. And the meticulous investigation conducted by D/Cst Nielsen is highly commendable.
