Father who locked the door and switched off the light gets life for raping his 15-year-old daughter

A father has been sentenced to life imprisonment for raping his 15-year-old daughter six years ago, the South African Police Service said in a statement from the Free State provincial commissioner’s office.

The Bethlehem Regional Court handed down the sentence after DNA results linked the man to the crime.

The attack happened on Sunday, 9 August 2020, at about 18:00. The girl was asleep in her bedroom when her father came in and woke her, questioning her about a plastic bag in the kitchen. She said she knew nothing about it. He then locked the bedroom door, switched off the light and raped her, and told her not to tell anyone.

She later reported what had happened to an old family friend, who confronted the man. He denied it. He was arrested, and the DNA results that followed tied him to the crime.

Lieutenant General Thabang Lesia, the Free State provincial commissioner, welcomed the sentence and commended the investigating officer and the prosecution team. She said sexual offences, particularly those committed against children by the people entrusted with their care and protection, will not be tolerated.

The case was prosecuted by Mr Vusumzi Nhlapho, presided over by Magistrate L. Mpama and investigated by Detective Constable Khehle Mosikili, with the Bethlehem Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit assisting.

Enquiries on the case can be directed to Warrant Officer Mmako Mophiring on 082 455 6176. The police statement is published at https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=72200.