Management of the SAPS in the province have praised the investigation and prosecution team whose work resulted in the successful conviction of a Hartenbos child rapist who was handed a hefty 90-year sentence for his crimes.
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According to IOL, police spokesperson Christopher Spies said the 46-year-old man was sentenced in the Oudtshoorn Regional Court on Thursday.
This comes after investigators attached to the Mossel Bay Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit (FCS) began their investigation following allegations of rape and sexual assault reported to the police by the victim’s mother in October 2019.
‘Investigation into these incidents revealed that the man, a family friend, visited their residence at Hartenbos near Mossel Bay where he violated two minors, 10 and 11 years of age at the time,’ Spies explained.
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‘These incidents were perpetrated over a period of time, between 2014 and 2019.’
The suspect was arrested soon after the initial report. He was subsequently found guilty on six charges and sentenced to 90 years’ imprisonment of which 20 years will run concurrently for two counts of rape, resulting in an effective 70 years direct imprisonment.
Meanwhile Western Capel police commissioner Lieutenant-General Thembisile Patekile lauded those involved in ensuring a lengthy incarceration.
‘Crimes against women and children remains a key priority in our endeavours to eradicate GBVF. This hefty sentence meted against a sexual predator should serve as a deterrent to those abusing their positions of trust to prey on innocent kids. Our specialised detectives placed at FCS units are well-equipped to ensure that those preying on innocent children face the full might of the law,’ Patekile said.
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Picture: YIFEI CHEN / Unsplash