Suspended sentence for child molester

A 22-year-old man who raped and impregnated a 13-year-old girl who had gone to a candy store has been sentenced to a suspended sentence by the Upington Regional Court.

A 22-year-old man who raped and impregnated a 13-year-old girl who had gone to a candy store has been sentenced to a suspended sentence by the Upington Regional Court.

Sergeant Omphile Maseela, spokesperson for the SAPS in the ZF Mgcawu district, said the accused Winston Maans followed the girl from the kiosk on 28 July 2023.

“He forcibly grabbed her and took her to his home where he raped her when she refused his invitation to accompany him,” Maseela said.

“The girl developed infections after some time and during a medical examination, a doctor confirmed that she was pregnant. The case was reported to the police for investigation and the accused was arrested.”

Maseela said the accused was found guilty of raping a minor and sentenced to five years’ imprisonment, suspended, on May 7.

Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola commended Investigating Officer Sergeant Elliot Geya for the excellent investigation and reiterated that the SAPS had a zero-tolerance approach to crimes against women and children.