Rapist writes to family from jail

Published Jun 29, 2015

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Roodepan - A 48-year-old man who is serving three life sentences for incest and repeatedly raping his two biological daughters, sent a handwritten letter to his wife, from prison, expressing his love for her and desire to be with her.

The accused bore two girls, now aged six and nine years with his eldest daughter, while the first-born child, a boy who was also fathered by him, was stillborn in 2003.

The man was convicted in the Free State High Court in Bloemfontein in September last year for the rapes that took place in their home on a farm in Boshof as well as in Kimberley.

In his two-page letter he requested his family to send him R30.50 so that he can purchase “cosmetics” in prison because he did not have any soap or toiletries.

He also supplied banking details where the money could be electronically transferred.

He extended his regards to the rest of the family and wished them well.

The man’s wife was prevented from reporting the rape of her daughters, which she witnessed, when he said he would hit her with a sjambok if she dared to tell anyone.

The man followed his daughters wherever they went and locked them in the shack to prevent them from telling anyone about the sexual abuse. He also threatened them at knifepoint.

The family have scoffed at the letter and indicated that they had no money to give him.

“We are well aware that soap and toiletries are provided to inmates. We have not gone to see him in prison. He sent the letter with a relative who knows where we live.”

The family, consisting of seven members, was relocated by the Sol Plaatje Municipality from the shack where they were raped, to a shanty in Roodepan.

In December 2014 municipal officials promised to prioritise the family to receive a house.

The eldest daughter, who is now 28 years old, stated that they were struggling financially and even had no food to eat.

“I am staying with my mother, my 24-year-old sister and our children, including a two-year-old and one-year-old baby, in the shanty where we were relocated to. It is better than where we were, because my sister and I were constantly reminded of what we had to endure.

“The Premier promised us a house within three months after our father was sentenced but we are still waiting. We survive on my mother’s social grant because I do not have an income. There is no food in the house and we share the children’s porridge. I am worried that the children do not have any warm winter clothes. I buy food if I happen to get some money. Someone stole the gas stove and now we have to make a fire to warm the porridge.”

She added that all seven family members share two beds although they do not have enough blankets to keep them warm.

She also said that they were receiving counselling and that the psychologist had advised her to forgive her father for what he had did to her.

“I want to forgive him so that I can move on with my life but it is very difficult. Whenever I am alone, I become afraid. I am constantly looking over my shoulder to check if it is not him. I try to distract myself by reading. If my father ever comes out of prison, I will flee the country or kill him with my bare hands.”

She said her sister would soon be getting married.

“My six-year-old daughter is struggling at school. One day I will have to tell my children who their father is. That will be when they are old enough so that they do not hear it from people in the street. I do not want to hide the truth from them.”

Spokesman for the Sol Plaatje Municipality Sello Matsie indicated that the family did qualify for consideration for a house.

“Attention will be given to their plight and the matter will be brought before the housing committee.”

Spokesman for the Department of Social Development Vuyani Mhlauli said a social worker would conduct a needs assessment at the family’s home on Monday.

“We will see where we can help with food and blankets. We will provide them with furniture once they have moved into a house.”

Spokeswoman for the Office of the Northern Cape Premier Bronwyn Thomas-Abrahams said Premier Sylvia Lucas identified the need to provide the family with decent shelter when she visited them and would not back down on this commitment.

“Construction on the house will start as soon as a serviced site has been allocated and we are in the process of finalising this with the Sol Plaatje Municipality.”

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