KATHU — The Kathu Regional Court has handed down a substantial sentence to a 38-year-old man convicted of child rape and sexual grooming. The ruling concludes a meticulous investigation by the local Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit, securing a major conviction that has drawn commendation from district leadership.
Acting John Taolo Gaetsewe District Commissioner Brigadier Kenneth Baloyi officially praised Detective Constable Pako Bele for his diligent investigative work. Bele’s thorough evidence-gathering was instrumental in bringing the predator to justice.
The criminal acts, which targeted a 10-year-old girl in February 2025, were exposed on Sunday, 16 February 2025. The breakthrough occurred when the accused lent his mobile phone to a witness. While using the device, the witness discovered explicit photographs and video recordings depicting the accused engaging in sexual intercourse with the 10-year-old victim.
Alarmed by the discovery, the witness immediately alerted the victim’s mother, who subsequently contacted law enforcement. The matter was formally registered at the Siyathemba Police Station and assigned to Detective Constable Bele. Within just three days of the case being opened, Bele’s swift actions resulted in the suspect’s arrest.
The accused was denied bail after the state successfully opposed his application, meaning he remained behind bars for the duration of the legal proceedings. He made multiple court appearances before facing final judgment.
Presiding officials at the Kathu Regional Court found the man guilty across multiple charges, delivering the following sentences:
Count 1 (Rape): 25 years of direct imprisonment. The court suspended five years of this term for a five-year period, stipulating that the suspension is conditional upon the offender not being convicted of a similar crime during that timeframe.
Count 2 (Sexual grooming of a minor): 10 years of imprisonment.
Count 3 (Creation and manufacture of child pornography material): 10 years of imprisonment.
The judicial officer ordered that the 10-year sentences for Counts 2 and 3 run concurrently with the primary 25-year sentence imposed for the rape conviction. Furthermore, the court mandated that the perpetrator’s details be officially recorded in the National Register for Sex Offenders.