A 41-year-old scholar transport driver from Mamelodi, Pretoria, has been sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty of raping a nine-year-old girl whom he lured to his home through her younger brother. The Pretoria Regional Court ruled that the offender had abused a position of trust and taken advantage of a vulnerable child, leaving no grounds for a lesser sentence.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the convicted man had only been working as a scholar transport driver for about two months when the offence took place in June 2021.
NPA regional spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said the incident began when the driver was taking the victim’s seven-year-old brother home from school. During the trip, he instructed the young boy to invite his nine-year-old sister to visit his house. He also told the child to tell their mother they were simply going outside to play.
The driver reportedly provided the boy with directions to his home. After arriving home, the child passed on the message to his sister. Believing there was nothing unusual, the siblings informed their mother that they were going out to play before heading towards the driver’s residence.
While walking, the children encountered the man driving home. He instructed them to follow his vehicle to his house. Once there, he gave the seven-year-old boy money to buy tea bags from a nearby shop.
When the young girl wanted to accompany her brother, the man insisted that she stay behind. After the boy left, the driver allegedly locked the door, removed both his and the child’s clothing, and raped the nine-year-old girl.
The assault came to an end only when the victim’s younger brother returned and knocked on the door. The man then dressed himself and the child before threatening to kill the girl’s mother if she revealed what had happened. Before sending the children away, he handed them R4 to buy chicken heads.
The crime remained undisclosed for about a month. In July 2021, the girl’s mother sent her to a neighbour’s house, which was located next door to the convicted man’s residence. As they approached the area, the child became visibly distressed and started crying. Concerned, her mother asked what was wrong, and the girl finally revealed that she had been raped.
The matter was immediately reported to the police. The child was referred to the Mamelodi Thuthuzela Care Centre, where she received medical treatment, counselling, and legal support. Following an investigation, the suspect was arrested on 19 August 2021.
During the trial, the accused pleaded not guilty and denied committing the offence. However, the prosecution presented evidence that convinced the court beyond a reasonable doubt, leading to his conviction.
During sentencing, the convicted man asked the court to impose a lighter sentence, arguing that he was the sole provider for his three children because their mother was unemployed. The State opposed the request, arguing that he had shown no remorse and had abused the trust placed in him as a scholar transport driver responsible for children’s safety.
The court agreed with the prosecution, finding that there were no substantial or compelling circumstances to justify a lesser sentence. It concluded that life imprisonment was appropriate given the seriousness of the crime and the devastating impact on the young victim.
The NPA welcomed the sentence and reaffirmed its commitment to prosecuting sexual offences, particularly crimes committed against children. It also encouraged victims of gender-based violence to seek assistance through Thuthuzela Care Centres, which provide integrated medical, psychological, and legal support to survivors.
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