NPA welcomes life sentence handed to man for raping, impregnating teen cancer patient

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has welcomed the life sentence handed down to a 47-year-old man from Tsakane Extension 13, east of Johannesburg, for raping and impregnating a 13-year-old cancer patient.

The Tsakane Regional Court heard that the assault took place between December 2015 and April 2016, while the minor visited her grandmother's home.

During the trial, it emerged that the man, who was a family friend and a neighbour, would call the child to his place, rape her and threaten to kill her if she told anyone.

The man's case was provisionally withdrawn in November 2016 but was placed back on the court roll in 2020.

Gauteng NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said the man also infected the child with HIV.

"This was discovered when the child had gone to the doctor for her regular cancer treatment, when the doctor discovered that the minor was already six months pregnant and had contracted HIV. This sentence demonstrates the NPA's commitment to prosecuting cases of gender-based violence."