NORTHERN CAPE — In a significant development for the local community, a 69-year-old man has been handed a 20-year prison term in a high-profile Kuruman rape case involving three minor victims. The Regional Court in Kuruman finalized the concurrent sentences, bringing a measure of closure to the young survivors thanks to the diligent efforts of local law enforcement.
The disturbing events unfolded on Sunday, 12 June 2022. A six-year-old girl returned from a weekend stay at her aunt’s home in Kuruman and began complaining of physical pain and discomfort after bathing. Prompted by her daughter’s distress, the child’s mother questioned the aunt about the visit. The young victim then disclosed that she and two other children, all between the ages of 6 and 8, were playing in the street that afternoon when the elderly man beckoned them into his shack.
Once inside the structure, the accused allegedly ordered the children to undress before sexually assaulting them. The ordeal did not end there; at a later point, the man specifically summoned the six-year-old victim back to his shack, where he raped her for a second time.
Following the disclosure, the family immediately reported the incident to the authorities. Detective Constable Beauty Majola, operating out of the Kuruman Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit, took charge of the case. Her thorough and swift investigative work led directly to the apprehension of the suspect.
After multiple court appearances, the Regional Court in Kuruman found the 69-year-old defendant guilty on three separate counts of rape. The court imposed a 20-year imprisonment term for each individual count. These sentences were ordered to run concurrently, meaning the offender will serve an effective 20 years behind bars.
