Limpopo father sentenced for offering daughters to farm workers as ‘payment'
According to Letaba Herald, the 39-year-old father and his 37-year-old friend each received life imprisonment for rape.
The court heard proof of systematic abuse that occurred between 2022 and 2023. Following the separation of their parents, the children were left in the care of their father, who subjected them to severe physical abuse and facilitated their sexual exploitation.
In a particularly disturbing pattern of behaviour, the father would beat the children brutally with a belt and, on occasions when he failed to pay his farm workers, would offer his daughters to be sexually abused as a form of 'payment'.
'In separate incidents, the father's friend would take the minors to a secluded area near a dam where he repeatedly raped them. Between August and November 2023 the ordeal came to light when a vigilant teacher noticed alarming behavioural changes in the youngsters. Following the disclosure of the abuse, the teacher immediately informed the appropriate parties, such as the police and social workers, which resulted in the children being taken away to a safe location,' says provincial police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba.
While the men were initially granted bail, the father's bail was later revoked after he was charged with witness intimidation.
The father received a life sentence for count 1 of rape, three years for count 4 of assault, and five years for count 5 of assault. His friend received life imprisonment for count 9 of rape and another life sentence for count 10 of rape.
Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe welcomed the sentence and praised the Tzaneen Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offenses Unit for their thorough inquiry, which resulted in the successful prosecution.
'This case represents one of the most horrific incidents of child abuse we have encountered in our province. It also demonstrates our unwavering commitment to protecting children and securing justice for victims of gender-based violence.'
She extended gratitude to the teacher who reported the matter, the social workers who provided support to the victims, and the prosecution team for their roles in securing these convictions.
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