Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
A child’s life has been left in tatters, and her innocence snatched away by her abusive stepfather—a man who used the nine-year-old girl to satisfy his shameful desires.
Police spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbele explains the child from Neptune Rise in Riet River, near Verulam, lost her mother in 2014 and was left in her stepdad’s care. However, Colonel Mbele states, “He started to be abusive towards the girl, locked her in the house and refused to allow her to be like any other nine-year-old child.”
Fearing the young girl would share the details of his dirty deeds with her friends, he ensured she remained a prisoner in their home. Thankfully, the child finally managed to escape his clutches, when in 2018, her stepfather lost his temper, assaulted her, and chased her out of the house.
Seizing the opportunity, the girl ran to her neighbour, informing them of her brutal stepfather and the constant abuse she sustained daily under his care.
Colonel Mbele states, “The neighbour called the police, and the members of the community heard that the father was abusing the victim and assaulted him. He was rescued by police and was taken to hospital under police guard.”
A case was then opened at Phoenix Police Station, where the criminal was charged for:
- Eight counts of rape.
- Two counts of sexual grooming.
- Three counts of using child pornography.
- Two counts of possession of child pornography.
- Two counts of distributing child pornography.
- Six counts of sexual assault.
- Two counts of human trafficking.
- Conspiracy to commit a sexual offence.
- Two counts of child abuse, compelling a child to witness sexual Act, Incitement to commit sexual offence, sexual grooming, and sexual exploitation.
The docket was transferred to Phoenix Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit for further investigation.
The accused then appeared in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court, where he was refused bail, and the case moved to the Durban High Court. The accused pleaded not guilty; however, after overwhelming evidence was presented against him, he was found guilty and sentenced on 26 March 2021 to eight life sentences imprisonment for rape, life imprisonment for human trafficking and an additional 173 years for all other counts.
Acting Provincial Commissioner for KwaZulu-Natal, Major General Thulani Gonya commended the detective who worked tirelessly on the case and the sentencing handed down. He emphasised, “The work displayed by our dedicated member must always be applauded, and we will continue to pride ourselves with detectives of such calibre. We are delighted the young girl is receiving all the help she needs, and we are confident she will come up even more strong.”
What are your thoughts on the incident? Share your views in the comment section below.
