The children were between the ages of 10 and 14.
Image: Ayanda Ndamane/Independent Newspapers
A Free State mother and her boyfriend have been sentenced to life imprisonment in the Bloemfontein Sexual Offences Court for the sexual abuse of three minor children.
The 39-year-old boyfriend and the 33-year-old mother of the children were convicted of multiple charges of rape, assault, and sexual exploitation.
The accused in the matter cannot be named to protect the identity of the minor children.
Evidence before the court revealed that the children were subjected to these crimes for a period of five years beginning in 2015.
The victims were the woman’s two daughters, aged 11 and 14 at the time, and her 10-year-old niece.
The court heard that the duo were in a romantic relationship and repeatedly raped and sexually exploited the children.
It was further revealed that the mother of the children facilitated the abuse by sending the victims to her lover, ignoring their disclosures, and coercing them through threats and physical assault.
In one incident, the boyfriend raped the 10-year-old girl in the presence of her mother, after which he continued sexual intercourse with the mother while the child remained in the room.
The victims were sometimes offered money or told to engage in sexual acts in exchange for necessities.
In bolstering its case, the state also presented victim impact statements that were prepared, highlighting the profound trauma and long-term harm suffered by the children.
In aggravation of sentence, the prosecution led by Prosecutor Joseph Cwele argued that the court should sentence both accused to life imprisonment for their crimes, submitting that both failed to protect the children. Prosecution acknowledged that the children suffered traumas that will be with them for the rest of their lives.
The lover was sentenced to life imprisonment for each of the three counts of rape. The mother was sentenced to life imprisonment for each of the three counts of rape, 15 years each for the three counts of sexual exploitation, and three years for the one count of assault.
The provincial spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Mojalefa Senokoatsane, said it remains steadfast in its commitment to combating gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), which continues to pose a serious threat to the safety, dignity, and constitutional rights of women and children in South Africa.
“Through dedicated prosecutors, specialised Sexual Offences and Community Affairs (SOCA) units, and victim-centred prosecution strategies, the NPA works tirelessly to ensure that survivors receive justice and that perpetrators are held accountable for their actions,” Senokoatsane said.
The NPA works closely with law enforcement agencies, particularly the South African Police Service, social workers, healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders within the criminal justice system to strengthen investigations and prosecutions.
“This collaborative approach ensures that cases are thoroughly prepared and presented before the courts, resulting in successful convictions and appropriate sentences that reflect the seriousness of these offences. Such partnerships are critical in ensuring that offenders are removed from society and that communities are protected from further harm. The protection of children remains a priority for the NPA,” Senokoatsane said.
The NPA said crimes committed against children are among the most heinous offences prosecuted by the Authority, and every effort is made to ensure that young victims are treated with care, sensitivity, and respect throughout the criminal justice process.
“The NPA will continue to advocate for the rights of children, pursue justice without fear or favour, and work alongside law enforcement to ensure that those who prey on the most vulnerable members of society face the full might of the law,” Senokoatsane said.
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