Media Statement
South African Police Service
Office of the Provincial Commissioner Northern Cape

KIMBERLEY - A 19-year-old man from Pella, was found guilty of raping his 15-year-old friend by the Regional Court that was sitting in Pofadder on Tuesday, 10 February 2026.

The accused was alleged to have been friends with the victim for a long time, but they started a sexual relationship in December 2022.

In January 2025, the victim fell pregnant and her mother was notified by the Department Health.

The matter was reported to the police and the suspect was subsequently arrested. He pleaded guilty to the charges and appeared before court on several occasions, after the case was assigned to Detective Constable Franklin Afrikaner of Pofadder Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit.

The court also found him guilty of statutory rape and sentenced him to five years imprisonment which was wholly suspended for five years on condition that he is not found guilty of the same offence within that period.

Additionally, he was declared unfit to possess a firearm.

The Namakwa District Commander, Brigadier Schalk Andrews commended the investigating officer for securing a conviction.   He reiterated that crimes committed against women and children will not be tolerated and perpetrators will be harshly dealt with.

Ends

Enquiries:
Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Litabe
082 494 9987

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