A 50 year-old man who raped a seven-year-old girl in Graaff Reinet cemetery has been sentenced to 15 years in prison.
According to police statement, the rapist, Pieter Jaftha picked the young girl from her home in Santaville to the graveyard where he raped her.
The police indicated that the court did not grant him bail and he had to remain in police custody throughout the trial which held in the Grahamstown high court.
Eastern Cape police commissioner Lt-Gen Liziwe Ntshinga commended the investigating team for their accurate report and also commended the prosecution.
She was pleased with the court’s judgement and hoped others learn from it.
She said: “The sentence is the outcome of the SAPS’ unwavering commitment in the fight against crimes against women and children and gender-based violence and hard work of the investigation officer and other specialised disciplines of the SAPS together with the NPA.”
