By Charmaine Ndlela
A Paarl Regional Court has sentenced a couple to 16 life terms and an additional 12 years’ direct imprisonment after convicting them of raping two minor girls, trafficking them and grooming them for sexual exploitation.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said the 51-year-old man and his 42-year-old wife were convicted of eight counts of rape, eight counts of trafficking in persons and four counts of grooming children.
NPA Western Cape spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said the couple targeted two vulnerable 14-year-old girls from disadvantaged backgrounds.
One victim had lost her mother, while her father struggled with alcohol abuse.
The second victim’s family had lost their home in a fire and was forced to seek shelter under a bridge.
The court handed down the sentence on Tuesday and ordered that the couple’s names be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders. Both were also declared unfit to possess firearms.
The NPA withheld the identities of the accused to protect the victims and prevent further trauma.
During the trial, the court heard that the couple provided the minors with alcohol before subjecting them to repeated sexual abuse.
Evidence presented showed that the wife facilitated the offences by encouraging and assisting her husband.
The accused attempted to shift blame onto each other, with the husband claiming his wife had initiated the offences, while the wife denied involvement and alleged that the victims had a choice.
The court rejected their versions and found that the State had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
One of the victims testified that the wife was often present during the assaults and played a role in enabling the abuse.
Prosecutor Jacqueline Hefele led evidence showing that the victims depended on the couple for basic necessities, including food, clothing and shelter.
One victim told the court that she felt unable to resist the accused’s demands because she feared being assaulted and being forced out of the home, leaving her without a safe place to stay.
Ntabazalila said the State’s case relied on the consistent and credible testimony of both victims, supported by evidence from a neighbour who testified about remarks made by the wife during an argument involving the accused.
Acting Western Cape Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Adrian Mopp commended the prosecution and investigative teams for securing justice for the victims, saying the couple had abused their position as trusted adults.
“The sentences imposed reflect the gravity of these heinous offences and the profound harm inflicted on two vulnerable young girls,” Mopp said.
“The NPA remains committed to ensuring that perpetrators of crimes against children are held fully accountable.”
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