Dennilton man gets life imprisonment for raping 8-year-old minor

DENNILTON – The South African Division of the High Court, sitting in Polokwane, has on Friday 25 July 2025 sentenced a 45-year-old man to direct life imprisonment for raping an 8-year-old girl in Dennilton.

According to the police, the accused, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the minor, was found guilty of rape after a thorough trial.

Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, Limpopo Provincial Police Spokesperson, said the rape incident occurred on 23 December 2023, at around 11pm, when the victim was sleeping with her family members at her aunt’s house in Taereng Section, Dennilton.

“The accused, who had offered the family a room to sleep, sneaked into the room and lured the child to another room where he raped her. The victim’s family discovered her missing when they heard her screaming, and upon inspecting the house, they found her naked and raped in one of the rooms,” explained Ledwaba.

He said following the ordeal, the victim was taken to the hospital, and the matter was reported to the Dennilton Police Station, where it was later transferred to the Groblersdal Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offenses Unit (FCS), which investigated the case, and the accused was initially arrested on 27 December 2023.

“Although the case was withdrawn at the Moutse Magistrate’s Court in Dennilton, the investigating officer continued to work diligently, and a warrant of arrest was issued after DNA results positively linked the accused to the crime. He was re-arrested at his workplace in Witbank, Mpumalanga Province,” explained Ledwaba.

He said the police investigation was led by Sergeant Tsheola Lethuba of the Groblersdal FCS, who worked tirelessly to ensure that justice was served.

Ledwaba added that the court proceedings continued until 24 July 2025, when the accused was found guilty of rape and sentenced to direct life imprisonment.

“The court also declared him unfit to possess a firearm and unfit to work with children. His details will be registered in the National Register for Sexual Offenders and Part B of the National Protectional Register,” Ledwaba said.

Provincial Commissioner of the Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, welcomed the court decision, stating: “The Family Violence Child Protection and Sexual Offenses Unit will continue with their good work to prevent crime and bring perpetrators thereof to justice.”