Uncle gets life sentence for rape of 12-year-old after diary found
A 12-year-old girl's diary led to her uncle's conviction on two counts of rape and a life sentence at the Protea Regional Court in Gauteng.
A 35-year-old man has been sentenced to life imprisonment at the Protea Regional Court in Gauteng after his young niece’s diary exposed the abuse she suffered, IOL reported on Friday.
How the case came to light
According to the report, the girl’s aunt borrowed her laptop and found a notebook hidden in the laptop bag. The 12-year-old had written down what happened to her. The aunt went to the police straight away, which started an investigation and led to the man’s arrest.
Conviction and sentence
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said the man was convicted on two counts of rape. He had pleaded not guilty, but the court found the State’s evidence compelling. His conviction came on 28 July.
The NPA said he faced life imprisonment on the first count and a further 15 years on the second. The court sentenced him to life imprisonment.
Prosecutor Advocate Nelisiwe Xulu presented a victim impact report in the sentencing proceedings. It spoke of the continuing threat of sexual offences against children, especially by people they trust. She described the man’s abuse of his position of trust as particularly serious and asked the court to impose the prescribed minimum sentences.
Regional Court Magistrate Tebogo Tlhapi Thupaatlase agreed with the State. He found no substantial and compelling circumstances that would justify a lighter sentence than the minimum. The court also ordered that the man’s details be added to the National Register for Sex Offenders. This makes him unfit to work with children or to possess firearms.
What the NPA says
NPA spokesperson Magaboke Mohlatlole welcomed the outcome as a sign of the authority’s commitment to fighting sexual offences, particularly against children. He said the NPA would keep seeking appropriate sentences against offenders who abuse positions of trust.
Mohlatlole also urged communities, parents and caregivers to stay alert and to report any suspected abuse.
What this means for families
- In this case, a relative who noticed something wrong and went to the police made the difference.
- The NPA is asking parents and caregivers to report suspected abuse rather than wait.
- Anyone placed on the National Register for Sex Offenders is barred from working with children, which is meant to protect other children in future.
This story is based on reporting by IOL.
