A 69-year-old man from Petsana, near Reitz in the Free State, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for raping his 14-year-old granddaughter.
He was sentenced in the Bethlehem Regional Court.
#sapsFS [GRANDFATHER SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS DIRECT IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPE OF GRANDDAUGHTER AT PETSANA NEAR REITZ]
The Bethlehem Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit, in collaboration with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), secured the conviction and sentencing of a 69-year-old man from Petsana near Reitz, who was sentenced to 25 years’ direct imprisonment on Wednesday, 11 November 2026, for the rape of his 14-year-old granddaughter.
The case was investigated by Detective Sergeant Gene Kutuloane of the Bethlehem FCS Unit and prosecuted by Advocate Babalwa Twalo before Magistrate Mpama.
The Free State Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thabang Lesia, welcomed the sentence and commended the SAPS investigating team and the National Prosecuting Authority for their efforts in ensuring that justice was served.
The Provincial Commissioner emphasised that the sentence comes as the country prepares to observe the annual 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign, which runs from 25 November to 10 December.
He reiterated that the sentence sends a clear message that perpetrators of gender-based violence and crimes against children will be held accountable for their actions.
“Men must stop abusing women and children. Protecting women and children is everyone’s responsibility, and perpetrators must understand that their actions have serious consequences,” Lieutenant General Lesia said. NP
https://t.co/xIHycwjdSx— SA Police Service
(@SAPoliceService) November 12, 2026
Police spokesperson Mmako Mophiring says the girl was at home preparing her tonsil medication when her grandfather attacked her.
Mophiring says DNA evidence linked the man to the crime, which was committed in June 2024.
Free State Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thabang Lesia has welcomed the sentence, warning that crimes against women and children will not go unpunished.
Reporting by: Dylan Boraine