According to the SA Police Service in Mpumalanga, Sam Makhubela, 65, was found guilty and given a sentence that effectively amounts to 20 years in prison for raping a 10-year-old child.

According to Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, the court heard how Makhubela cornered his victim whenever she was sent to the store by her family or lured her to his house while she was alone at home.

“The string of rapes was discovered when the victim’s mother saw the victim with some chocolates at home. Upon questioning her, she informed her mother that she received the items from a friend,” Mohlala said.

The girl could not convince her mother who decided to follow up at the girl’s school. The little girl’s friend denied any knowledge of the chocolates.

Through the intervention of the victim’s teacher, it was revealed that the innocent girl received some chocolates from a man whose identity was unknown at that stage. Both the victim’s mother and the teacher became more suspicious and then took the victim to the hospital where the rape was confirmed.

On June 19, 2018, the police in Tonga were informed of the situation, and a rape case with two counts was immediately filed.

The Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit was in charge of the investigation.

On June 26, 2018, Makhubela was arrested after a thorough investigation.

“Investigation further revealed that the accused would threaten to kill the victim and her family should she divulge his unethical acts to anyone,” said Mohlala.

“However, his tricks could not work in his favour as he was convicted and sentenced for the two counts of rape to 20 years imprisonment on each count.”

The two sentences must be served concurrently, per the court’s ruling, therefore Makhubela will in fact spend 20 years in prison.

His name will also be entered into the register of sexual offenders, and Makhubela has also been deemed unfit to work with children.