POTCHEFSTROOM - North West police commissioner Lt-Gen Baile Motsweyane on Sunday welcomed the eight life imprisonment sentences handed down in the High Court in Pretoria to a serial rapist of minors who impregnated his niece and also raped his stepdaughter.
On Friday, the North Gauteng High Court sentenced a 47-year-old man to eight life sentences, North West police spokesperson Captain Aafje Botma said.
He was found guilty and sentenced to life on seven counts of rape and one of human trafficking. The man, who was the uncle to one of the victims, aged 15, fetched her in Mozambique in December 2015 and brought her to Sonop in Brits after promising her a job.
"He raped the victim who stayed with him several times until she got pregnant. The matter was reported to the police in April 2016 after the victim escaped from the accused's place. The paternity tests have since confirmed that the accused is the father," Botma said.
After a thorough investigation, the man was arrested on April 13, 2016. He had been in custody since his arrest after his bail application was successfully opposed.
While the man was still in custody, the investigating officer received and followed up information that the man also raped three other minors aged eight, 10, and 11, one of whom was his stepdaughter, at Geluk informal settlement between 2014 and 2015, Botma said.
Motsweyane applauded investigating officer Constable Aubrey Ndubane and other role players for their commitment that led to the conviction.
She said the sentence that came seven days after two life sentences were handed to another serial rapist in the Bafokeng Regional Court, would serve as an indication that no stone would be left unturned in dealing with sexual offenders.