A teenager from Gauteng who is believed to be the “youngest recorded serial rapist” in South Africa’s history, has been sentenced to prison after a 2-year wait.
The teenager was 15 at the time
On Monday the 17-year-old was sentenced to 30 years imprisonment by the Gauteng Regional Court in Palm Ridge after being found guilty of raping three boys.
“The teenager is believed to be the youngest recorded [convicted] serial rapist in the history of South Africa,” Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Sello said.
The incidents took place in Katlehong in 2020 and the teenager was 15 years old when he raped three boys on different occasions. The boys are reported to have been aged 8 to 10.
A “bitter-sweet” success
The case was assigned to Detective Renny Matshavha who was based at the Katlehong Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offence (FCS) unit.
“Matshavha immediately commenced with her investigation and pieced all the available evidence together. Her quality investigation resulted in a solid case brought against the young accused in court, who was ultimately sentenced to 30 years imprisonment for three counts of rape,” said Sello.
Gauteng acting police provincial commissioner Girly Mbele also commented on Matshavha’s great work and perseverance.
“The sentence handed down to the 17-year-old convicted serial rapist was a bitter-sweet success. It cannot have been easy for Sergeant Matshavha to investigate a case whereby the perpetrator was a child, but she persevered in seeking justice for the three minor victims and their families.
“Our relentless efforts in addressing the proliferation of sexual offences will restore the communities’ faith in the SAPS,” said Mbele.