Paramedic sentenced to life for rape; prophet arrested for alleged assault on teen girl

The Polokwane Regional Court has sentenced a 56-year-old paramedic to life imprisonment for the rape of a 14-year-old girl. In a separate case, a 35-year-old prophet has been arrested for the alleged rape of a 15-year-old girl.

The paramedic, whose name has not been released, was convicted on Monday, June 2, for an incident that took place on April 12. The victim was at her home in Seshego, near Polokwane, when the accused, a family friend, entered her bedroom while she was changing from her school uniform and raped her.

When the victim tried to scream, the accused threatened to kill her if she told anyone.

After the assault, the victim informed her parents when they returned home, which led to a report being filed at the Seshego SAPS. The case was then handed over to the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit, where Detective Constable Arnold Makhwanya took charge of the investigation. Although the paramedic was initially granted bail, he was later convicted and sentenced after a thorough investigation.

The court also imposed several additional orders, including:

• Deeming the accused unfit to possess a firearm.
• Ordering the search and seizure of all firearms and permits in the accused's possession.
• Including the accused's particulars in the National Register for Sexual Offences and Sex Offenders.
• Finding the accused unsuitable to work with children, thereby including his details in Part B of the National Child Protection Register.

Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe commended the successful conviction and praised the victim for her bravery in coming forward.

In the second case, the prophet was apprehended by the Tzaneen Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences Unit on June 2 for allegedly raping a 15-year-old girl. The details of this case are still unfolding, and police investigations are ongoing.

Police reports indicate that the teen was taken to the home of the prophet by her mother on May 7,  for what was believed to be healing services. During the visit, the suspect allegedly told the girl that the ancestors had instructed him to have sexual intercourse with her for healing purposes. He also claimed that their interactions should remain a secret and that she would receive training to become a sangoma.

The victim reportedly suffered repeated assaults between May 11 and May 13 before managing to escape from the suspect's home, leaving her belongings behind. When her mother noticed her absence, she returned to the prophet's residence to collect her daughter's things, only to be told that she needed to pay a fee.

Concerned for her daughter’s safety, the mother reported the incident to the police. The victim then provided details of the assaults to law enforcement.

A rape case was officially opened on June 1, and the investigation was handed over to the Tzaneen Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences Unit.

The suspect was identified and arrested, and he is scheduled to appear before Maake Magistrate's Court on June 4, facing charges of rape.

Police investigations are ongoing.