An 80-year-old community headman of Tubatse, in the Sekhukhune District was on Friday sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by the Burgersfort Regional Court for raping his 13-year-old niece.

The accused was found guilty on Tuesday, 20 May 2025, and sentenced Friday, 22 August 2025.

The court heard that 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, a village headman, lured the victim by offering money, chocolates, snacks, and buying her a cellphone while repeatedly demanding sex, which she refused.

The rape occurred when other children were not present at the accused’s premises. He lured the victim inside his house, raped her, and subsequently threatened to kill her if she disclosed to anyone at home.

The victim’s mother discovered the ordeal and immediately reported it to the police. A rape 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 the 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) – Rape.

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 sexual offences face the full might of the law,” said Lt-Gen Hadebe.