Uncle jailed for life after niece (12) documents rape in notebook

A man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for raping his 12-year-old niece twice after her aunt discovered the child’s account in a notebook.

A 12-year-old girl's diarised entries in her notebook detailing how she was raped by her uncle led to his arrest and conviction in Gauteng on Thursday. 

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), she kept the notebook in her laptop bag. The abuse came to light when her aunt borrowed the laptop and discovered the book. Her uncle was sentenced to life imprisonment on one count of rape and 15 years’ imprisonment on a second in the Protea Regional Court on Thursday.

NPA spokesperson Magaboke Mohlatlole said investigations led by Sergeant Tshaka revealed that the man was 35 years old when he committed the offences against the child. He pleaded not guilty to both charges but was convicted on both counts on July 28.

The first incident occurred when the man visited the child’s home, where he raped her. On another occasion, he found the child bathing at home and raped her again.

“The victim did not immediately report the incidents to her parents. Instead, she documented what had happened in a book that she kept in her laptop bag. The abuse came to light when her aunt borrowed the laptop and discovered the book. The matter was subsequently reported to the police, leading to the man’s arrest,” Mohlatlole said.

During sentencing proceedings, prosecutor Advocate Nelisiwe Xulu presented the victim impact report and highlighted the prevalence of sexual offences against vulnerable children, particularly those committed by people within their immediate family and social circles.

She argued the man had violated the position of trust he occupied in the child’s life and urged the court to impose the prescribed minimum sentences.

Regional Court Magistrate Tebogo Tlhapi Thupaatlase agreed with the State’s submissions and found no substantial and compelling circumstances warranting a deviation from the prescribed minimum sentences.

The court further ordered that the man’s particulars be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders. He was also declared unfit to work with children and unfit to possess a firearm.

“The NPA welcomes the sentence as an affirmation of its commitment to vigorously prosecute perpetrators of sexual offences, particularly crimes committed against children. The NPA will continue to pursue appropriate sentences against offenders who exploit positions of trust to abuse vulnerable children,” Mohlatlole said.

The NPA also calls on parents, caregivers and communities to remain vigilant and to report suspected abuse. Mohlatlole said children must be protected from all forms of sexual violence, including abuse committed by people they know and trust.