Source: Africa Publicity
A teenage girl in South Africa attempted to commit suicide after she was repeatedly raped by her stepfather. She was hospitalized as a result of the attempted suicide.
Her stepfather who is a 46-year-old Limpopo man was sentenced to three life terms by the Naphuno Magistrate Court after he was convicted for raping her.
In the interest of protecting the identity of the girl, the rapist stepfather cannot be named. He was convicted on three counts of rape.
According to Limpopo provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, “The court noted that, from April 16, 2018, to July 2018, a 15-year-old girl was raped by her stepfather on different days. The victim also attempted to commit suicide. She was then rushed to the hospital for medical assistance.”
The police spokesperson added that: “While she was in the hospital, her mother discovered a suicidal note under her pillow. It formed part of the investigation.”
The teenager was subsequently discharged from hospital.
Following her discharge from hospital, on October 12, 2018, the rape victim and her mother notified police about the incident, and a case of rape was opened.
Colonel Ledwaba stated that
“The case was transferred to Tzaneen family violence, child protection, and sexual offences unit, and Sergeant Bongani Mthombeni was assigned to investigate the case further. The accused was arrested on October 16, 2018 at Tzaneen and charged with three counts of rape.”
“Sergeant Bongani Mthombeni opposed bail against the accused and he remained in custody until he was found guilty, convicted, and sentenced.”
In the end, the court sentenced the stepfather to life terms in prison.
Provincial commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has welcomed the lengthy jail term imposed on the stepfather.
Hadebe lauded the investigating team for securing the lengthy conviction.
