A 34-year-old man has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for the rape of his 13-year-old daughter on her birthday, the South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed.
On 26 November 2023, the accused fetched the victim from her grandmother’s house in Nonzwakazi, De Aar, promising to treat her on her special day. Upon arrival at his residence, he locked all doors and shut all windows, forcibly undressed the child, and raped her. He then kept her inside the house and went to sleep.
The victim escaped by climbing out through a window and returned to her grandmother’s home, where she reported the incident. Police were subsequently notified.
The investigation was led by Captain Wietz Coetzee, Branch Commander of the De Aar Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit. The suspect evaded arrest on several occasions but was apprehended on 29 November 2023 at his house following a tip-off from community members.
The accused appeared in court, where bail was opposed. He remained in custody until his conviction and sentencing.
On 9 April 2026, the De Aar Regional Court convicted the accused of rape and sentenced him to 30 years imprisonment. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm, and his name will be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.
