Northern Cape courts show no mercy for gender based violence and femicide offenders
On Saturday, 04 July 2023 at 21:30 in Prieska, a 20-year-old female victim was sleeping in the bedroom with her disabled son and daughter. The stepfather entered the bedroom and started to beat the victim with a stick and instructed the victim to go to his bedroom, the victim tried to run away but the accused managed to grab and dragged the victim by her hair to his bedroom, undressed the victim and raped her. She reported the incident and the suspect was arrested.
On Wednesday, 20 September 2023, the Prieska Regional court, convicted and sentenced 56-year-old, Simon Tallies to thirteen (13) years imprisonment for rape and assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm of which three (3) years imprisonment is suspended for five years. The accused was also declared unfit to possess a firearm and his name will be recorded in the National Register for sex offenders.
In an unrelated case, an 8-year-old female victim reported to her mother that her father sexually assaulted her, on Friday, 23 and 24 September 2022, in Marydale. The incident was reported and the accused was arrested. Bail was successfully opposed and the accused remained in custody.
On Wednesday, 20 September 2023, the Prieska Regional Court, convicted and sentenced the 42-year-old accused to fourteen (14) years imprisonment for attempted rape of which five(5)years imprisonment is suspended for five years. The accused was also declared unfit to possess a firearm and his name will be recorded in the National Register for sex offenders.
The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola applauded Sergeant Riaan Van Wyk for his sterling investigation that led to the convictions and sentencing. “These convictions and sentences sends a clear message that anyone who harms women and children will be held accountable for their actions,” she concluded.
Source: South Africa Police Service