KATHU — A 38-year-old paedophile has been sentenced by the Kathu Regional Court to 25 years in prison for the rape and sexual grooming of a 10-year-old girl. Detective Constable Pako Bele of the Kathu Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit was commended for his meticulous investigation by Acting John Taolo Gaetsewe District Commissioner Brigadier Kenneth Baloyi.
The offences, which occurred in Kathu in February 2025, were discovered on Sunday, 16 February 2025. A witness who had borrowed the accused’s cellphone found photographs and videos depicting the accused having sexual intercourse with the 10-year-old victim. The witness immediately reported the discovery to the victim’s mother, who subsequently contacted the police.
The case was registered at Siyathemba Police Station and assigned to Detective Constable Bele. Following the gathering of substantial evidence, the suspect was arrested three days later. His bail application was successfully opposed, and he remained in custody throughout the court proceedings.
The Kathu Regional Court found the accused guilty and handed down the following sentences:
Count 1 (Rape): 25 years’ imprisonment, of which five years are suspended for five years on the condition that the accused is not convicted of a similar offence during the suspension period.
Count 2 (Sexual grooming of a minor): 10 years’ imprisonment.
Count 3 (Creation or manufacture of child pornography material): 10 years’ imprisonment.
The sentences for Counts 2 and 3 will run concurrently with the sentence imposed for Count 1. The court further ordered that the accused’s name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.
