26/08/2025
80-YEAR-OLD OLD HEADMAN SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR R**E OF A MINOR
The Burgersfort Regional Court has sentenced 80-year-old Headman of a village in Tubatse, in the Sekhukhune District to 15 years imprisonment for r**e. The accused was found guilty on Tuesday, 20 May 2025, and sentenced on Friday, 22 August 2025.
The victim, now 22 years old, was 13 years old at the time of the offence which occurred between 2015 and 2017. During this period, the victim would visit the accused's residence with other children. The accused groomed the victim by offering money, purchasing chocolates, snacks, and a cellphone while repeatedly demanding s*x, which she refused.
The r**e occurred when no other children were present at the accused's residence. He called the victim inside his house, r**ed her, and subsequently threatened to kill her while instructing her not to tell anyone at home.
The victim's mother discovered the ordeal and immediately reported it to the police. A r**e case was opened at Tubatse Police Station and transferred to the Burgersfort Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit, where it was assigned to Sergeant Letsatsi Jacob Mojalefa
Sergeant Mojalefa worked closely with Public Prosecutor Victor Mafolo throughout the case. The accused, who was 72 years old at the time of the incident, remained out on bail until conviction and sentencing.
The headman was found guilty of contravention of section 3 of Act 32 of 2007 (Criminal Law Sexual Offences and Related Matters Amendment Act) - R**e.
The Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe welcomed the sentence and applauded the investigating officer for the diligent work.
"This conviction demonstrates the justice system's commitment to protecting vulnerable children and ensuring perpetrators of s*xual offences face the full might of the law," said Lieutenant General Hadebe.
