Man who lured stepdaughter with Simba chips before raping her sentence to 25 years in prison

A 50-year-old man from North West has received a 25-year prison sentence after raping his five-year-old stepdaughter.

A 50-year-old North West man has been sentenced to 25 years' direct imprisonment for raping his five-year-old stepdaughter. He was reportedly drunk when he lured the child to his room with the promise of giving her Simba chips before raping her.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in North West, Mojalefa Senokoatsane, said the man was living at the same address as the victim and her family.

He arrived home at approximately 1.30pm and found the child at home with her mother, sister, and her mother's friend, watching television.

“The accused, who was under the influence of alcohol, lured the child to his room under the pretext of giving her Simba chips. Instead of fulfilling that promise, he sexually violated the child by raping her.”

Senokoatsane said the rape was interrupted when the child's mother caught him in the act.

“She immediately reported the matter to the police, and the child was taken to hospital for a medical examination.”

A doctor confirmed injuries consistent with sexual assault, and the man was swiftly arrested and charged with the rape of a minor.

Senokoatsane said the Galeshewe Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC) played a critical role in supporting the child and her mother by providing professional counselling and psychosocial services.

“The programme adopts a victim-centred, multidisciplinary approach to addressing gender-based violence, ensuring that survivors and their families receive the necessary care, support, and guidance throughout the criminal justice process.”

“The counselling and support services assisted both the victim and her mother in dealing with the emotional and psychological trauma resulting from the offence, while empowering them to navigate the court process with appropriate support structures in place,” he said.

Senokoatsane said during the trial, regional court prosecutor Matilda Sekhoetsane argued for a sentence that reflected the gravity of the offence.

“The State submitted that the accused had abused the trust placed in him by the child's mother in his capacity as a parental figure. Instead of protecting the child, he betrayed that trust and subjected her to a horrific act of sexual violence.”

“The State contended that a lengthy term of direct imprisonment was the only appropriate sentence in light of the seriousness of the crime and its devastating impact on the victim.”