Tonga - A Mozambican man convicted of raping his 13-year-old stepdaughter was sentenced to 25 years in jail by the Tonga Regional Court on Tuesday.
The 39-year-old, of Zibokwane village, Mpumalanga, was found guilty of rape after pleading not guilty, a Sapa correspondent reported.
“I am happy that all three witnesses including the victim were faithful in their testimony, but your testimony was based on lies. You are a liar... indeed you did rape this child more than once,” Magistrate Edgar Moletsane said.
He may not be named to protect the girl's identity.
His right to own a gun was taken away and his name was placed on the sex offenders' register, to prevent him from working with children.
He waved to his wife before he was taken to prison. During the trial, he accused his wife and stepdaughter of trying to frame him.
The court heard that the rape occurred at the victim's two-roomed mud house on November 23, 2013. It was reported on December 29 that year.
The girl's mother testified that her husband, the father of her other three children, had confessed to the rape.
Moletsane said the man punched his wife in the face.
“She testified that she didn't open the case immediately because her mouth was swollen and she could not speak properly. She lost some of her teeth because of you,” he said.
Sapa