News24 | Northern Cape teenager sentenced for raping a 5-year-old

The 15-year-old was arrested on 20 December 2024 and processed in accordance with the Child Justice Act.

• A 15-year-old boy has been found guilty of raping a five-year-old in Longlands, near Delportshoop in the Northern Cape.
• The teenager was sentenced to five years at a youth and childcare centre, followed by three years in prison.
• The decision aligns with South Africa’s Child Justice Act.

 A 15-year-old boy has been sentenced to compulsory detention at a youth and childcare centre, followed by jail time, after being found guilty of raping a five-year-old boy.

The teenager appeared in the Kimberley Regional Court on Tuesday for the 18 December 2024 incident.

According to the police, the incident occurred in Longlands near Delportshoop, where the teenager allegedly forced himself on the young boy in the bathroom of his parents’ home.

“After the assault, the victim returned home and experienced difficulty sitting. His aunt noticed his discomfort and questioned him, whereupon he broke down and revealed what had happened,” said police spokesperson Sergeant Molefi Shemane.

Shemane added:

He said the 15-year-old was arrested on 20 December 2024 and processed in accordance with the Child Justice Act.

“Following his first court appearance on 23 December 2024, he was detained at a place of safety for juveniles in Kimberley and later abandoned his right to apply for bail,” Shemane added.

The boy was sentenced on 25 September to five years at the youth and childcare centre, followed by three years in prison.

The Frances Baard District SAPS management commended Constable Patience Fortuin of the Galeshewe Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit for her thorough investigation, which led to the successful conviction and sentencing.

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Shemane emphasised that every child deserves protection, care, and dignity, urging members of the public to break the silence and report any form of abuse.

All information will be treated confidentially.