DURBAN – In 2014, a nine-year-old girl from Neptune Rise in Riet River near Verulam lost her mother and was left in the care of her stepfather who was trusted to look after her. The father (46) turned a monster when he started to see the innocent girl as his sex slave rather than his precious daughter. He started to be abusive towards the girl, locked her in the house and refused to allow her to be like any other nine year-old child. Fearing the young girl will share his dirty deeds with her friends he continued to lock her in the house. In 2018, the stepfather lost his temper, assaulted the victim and chased her out the house.

The girl got the opportunity to run to her neighbour, told her about her abusive stepfather and the constant abuse she suffered on a daily bases under his care. The neighbour called the police and the members of the community heard that the father was abusing the victim and assaulted him. He was rescued by police and was taken to hospital under police guard.

The case was opened at Phoenix police station where he was charged for eight counts of rape, two of sexual grooming, three of using child pornography, two of possession of child pornography, two of distributing child pornography, six of sexual assault, two of human trafficking, conspiracy to commit sexual offence, two of child abuse, compelling a child to witness sexual Act, Incitement to commit sexual offence, sexual grooming, and sexual exploitation.

The docket was transferred to Phoenix Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit for further investigation. The accused first appeared in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court where he was refused bail and the case was moved to the Durban High Court. The accused pleaded not guilty however after overwhelming evidence was presented against him, he was found guilty and sentenced on 26 March 2021 to eight life imprisonment for rape, life imprisonment for human trafficking and an additional 173 for all other counts.

The Acting Provincial Commissioner for KwaZulu-Natal, Major General Thulani Gonya commended the detective who worked tirelessly on the case and for securing the sentence. “The work displayed by our dedicated member must always be applauded and we will continue to pride ourselves with detectives of such calibre. We are delighted the young girl is receiving all the help she needs and we are confident she will come up even more strong,” he said.

Source: South African Police Service