Dennilton man who faked a hospital job letter gets 25 years for raping a job seeker and a 13-year-old girl

A 33-year-old man has been sentenced to a total of 25 years’ direct imprisonment by the Groblersdal Magistrate’s Court for the rape of a 21-year-old woman and a 13-year-old girl in Dennilton, Limpopo.

Hector Tshepang Chikumba was sentenced on Wednesday, 14 October 2026 to 15 years for rape and 10 years for statutory rape. The court also declared him unfit to possess a firearm, the South African Police Service said in a statement.

The court heard that on 26 July 2024, Chikumba promised to secure employment for the 21-year-old woman and asked her for her CV. He later gave her an employment approval letter purportedly from Kwa Mhlanga Hospital. The letter was found to be fraudulent and was unknown to the hospital.

At about 20:15 that evening, he phoned the woman and asked to meet her. When they met, he raped her. He was arrested and later released on bail.

While out on bail, on 12 February 2025, Chikumba approached a 13-year-old girl, saying he wanted to help her with her homework. He later sent her an SMS asking to meet. The girl found him sitting in his vehicle and got in. He instructed her to undress and then raped her.

The matter was reported at Dennilton police station. Members of the Groblersdal Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit arrested him, and DNA evidence linked him to the crime.

Through the work of the investigating officers, Captain Lekgala Phala and Sergeant Pebetse Maile, the accused was convicted of both offences.

Limpopo Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers, welcomed the sentence.

“The accused exploited the hopes of a job seeker and the trust of a child,” Scheepers said. “The sentence sends a clear message that those who prey on women and children will be found, prosecuted and removed from our communities.”

The statement was issued by the South African Police Service, Office of the Provincial Commissioner Limpopo, and can be read at https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=71837. Enquiries can be directed to Colonel Malesela Ledwaba on 082 451 7180.