Hefty sentence for Calvinia rapist

The SAPS management welcomes the harsh sentence handed down to rape accused Benjamin Geswindt.

On 05 June 2022, the 22-year-old mentally challenged victim was walking alone in Calvinia West when she was lured by the accused to an open field near Hantam High School and raped.

A witness alerted the victim’s father. A case was opened, the accused was arrested immediately, and bail was successfully opposed.

On 11 July 2023, the Calvinia Magistrate’s court convicted and sentenced 42-year-old Benjamin Geswindt to twenty eight (28) years imprisonment of which eight (8) years was suspended for five years, on condition he is not found guilty of a similar offence.

The accused will therefore serve an effective twenty (20) years in prison.

The suspect was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

The unit commander D/WO Charl Blignaut applauded the investigation officer D/Constable Jacques Nielsen for his thorough and meticulous investigation which led to the hefty sentence.

The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola indicated that these sentences are a clear indication that violence perpetrated against the vulnerable members of society will not be tolerated, especially women and children. And the meticulous investigation conducted by D/Cst Nielsen is highly commendable.

Source: South African Police Service