Two brothers, aged 35 and 27, were sentenced by Botshabelo Regional Court for the rape of their 10-year-old sister.

In February 2019, the then 10-year-old victim, who was living with her grandmother and her two brothers, reported to two of her friends that she was at home at A-Section in Botshabelo with her 35-year-old brother, who took her into the bedroom, threatened her with death if she said anything to anyone about the incident, and raped her. She never told anyone what happened.

One Sunday night, the other brother, who is 27-years-old, forced himself onto the victim and raped her too. The child told her teacher and the social worker reported the incident on her behalf to Botshabelo police station.

The brothers were arrested and the victim was taken for medical observation. The Selosesha Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit took over the investigation. The two were found guilty and the 35-year-old brother was sentenced to 15 years for rape. The 27-year-old brother was sentenced to 20 years for rape.

In another incident, the Vrede Regional Court sentenced Sipho Moloi Malala (22) of Thembalihle near Vrede for sexual assault.

He was arrested by the Vrede Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit in June 2022 for attempting to rape a 62-year-old mentally challenged woman. He was arrested and charged with sexual assault. He was found guilty and sentenced to a fine of R8000-00 or 12 months imprisonment wholly suspended for a period of five years on the condition that the accused doesn’t commit the same act of sexual assault during the period of suspension.

Source: South African Police Service