A 61-year-old former government employee and deacon at the International Assemblies of God church has been sentenced to life imprisonment for raping his 10-year-old niece.
The Pretoria magistrate’s court heard that the girl was living with her aunt, the accused’s wife, when the horrific incident occurred on November 17, 2017.
According to Lumka Mahanjana, National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, “The man raped his niece and instructed her not to report it, claiming they were just ‘playing a game’.” The truth came to light a year later when the victim’s aunt learned of the assault and reported it to the police.
Despite pleading not guilty, the prosecution presented compelling evidence from witnesses, including the victim, a medical professional, and the accused’s wife. The court rejected the man’s request for correctional supervision, citing his lack of remorse and exploitation of a vulnerable child.
