A Northern Cape man has been sentenced for sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl.
Image: DFA / Image created with DALL-E
A 47-YEAR-old man from Springbok will spend the next several years behind bars after he was convicted of sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl in 7de Laan, Bergsig.
Northern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Molefi Shemane said the crime occurred on April 1, 2023, when the victim was at home with the perpetrator.
After forcing himself on her, the man handed her R5 in a disturbing attempt to silence her. Instead, the young girl fled to her aunt’s house, where she bravely reported the incident. The police were immediately alerted and the man was swiftly arrested.
Thanks to the work of the Springbok SAPS Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit, the accused remained in custody throughout the trial after bail was successfully denied.
The Springbok Regional Court has now sentenced the man to 12 years in prison, with five years suspended for five years - provided he is not convicted of a similar offence during that period. He was also declared unfit to own a firearm and will be added to the National Register for Sexual Offenders.
The Namakwa District police management has commended the “outstanding investigative work” of Detective Constable Agnes Vena, which helped ensure that justice was served.
Sergeant Shemane concluded by saying that the SAPS in the Northern Cape has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting vulnerable members of society, especially women and children.