Kathu court jails Siyathemba man 25 years for rape and child abuse filming

Kathu court jails Siyathemba man 25 years for rape and child abuse filming

For all the News from Mashonaland Central, Join One of Our Groups

A South African regional court in Kathu has sentenced Tebogo Christopher Sebogodi (39) of Siyathemba to an effective 25 years in prison after convicting him of rape, creation of child pornography and child grooming involving his girlfriend’s nine-year-old child.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said the case amounted to a serious breach of trust and a grave crime against a child.

NPA regional spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane said Sebogodi was arrested after a video allegedly showing the abuse was discovered on his phone by the child’s aunt.

“The disturbing video was discovered by the child’s aunt, who had borrowed the accused’s phone to view photographs. She immediately alerted her mother, leading to the matter being reported to the police,” Senokoatsane said.

Investigators later established that the abuse was not a single incident, but occurred on more than one occasion while the child’s mother was away and Sebogodi was left to babysit, the NPA said.

To Advertise Inbox Us

During sentencing, prosecutor Kekeletso Lekota asked the court to impose the toughest available penalty, arguing the offences represented a “heinous and a grave betrayal of trust”, according to the NPA.

Senokoatsane said the prosecutor told the court Sebogodi had exploited the child’s vulnerability and posed a danger to society.

The court imposed 25 years’ imprisonment for rape, with five years suspended. It also sentenced Sebogodi to 10 years for creation of child pornography and a further 10 years for child grooming.

The latter two sentences will run concurrently with the rape sentence, resulting in an effective custodial term of 25 years, the NPA said.

The authority said it remains committed to prosecuting crimes against children, describing such offences as a violation of constitutional rights and a threat to community safety.

“Through diligent prosecution and strong collaboration with law enforcement, the NPA will continue to prioritise the protection of children and deliver justice for victims and their families. Every successful prosecution sends a strong message that those who prey on children will face the full might of the law,” Senokoatsane said.

Follow Our WhatsApp Channel for all the News from Mashonaland Central – Bindura, Mbire, Guruve, Mount Darwin, Rushinga, Shamva, Mazowe & Muzarabani