TZANEEN — On 23 June 2026, the Tzaneen Regional Court sentenced an unnamed 39-year-old man to life imprisonment for the rape of his 15-year-old stepdaughter. The identity of the accused is being withheld to protect the victim.
The conviction stems from an incident that occurred on 15 January 2024, in a village within the Ritavi policing area. According to court proceedings, the accused forced the victim to lie on her back, forcefully opened her legs, and raped her. Following the assault, he threatened to kill both the victim and her mother if she disclosed the incident to anyone.
The victim subsequently disclosed the assault to her mother, prompting a report to the police. The investigation was led by Sergeant Phumudzo Mabongo of the Tzaneen Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit.
Following a thorough investigation and successful prosecution, the accused was found guilty of rape and sentenced to life imprisonment.
