Father Jailed For Life For Sexual Molestation Of Stepdaughter

The Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday sentenced a stepfather from Eersterust to life imprisonment for the rape of his 12-year-old stepdaughter.

According to NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana, the 38-year-old was residing with the mother and child when he took advantage of the little girl.

While the mother was at work, he would rape the girl.

“This was discovered after the child disclosed what was happening to her teacher at school.

"After the teacher told the mother what the child told her, the mother reported the matter to the police,” Mahanjana said.

After learning that the authorities were hunting for him, the stepfather fled for a few months before returning and turning himself up to the authorities. 

He did, however, deny raping his stepdaughter.

The stepdaughter said in court that her stepfather threatened her life if she ever informed anybody about the incident.

She also stated that her school performance had declined and that she was still experiencing flashbacks to the incidents.

“In aggravation of sentence, the prosecutor, advocate Michael Shivuri, told the court that the stepfather was in a position of trust and he abused that trust.

"In court he showed no remorse for his actions and refused to take responsibility,” Mahanjana added.

Mahanjana said the prosecutor also argued that the stepfather committed a serious offence and asked the court to impose a sentence of life imprisonment.