A 50-year-old married man from Bloemfontein has been sentenced to two life terms in prison after being convicted of repeatedly raping a 20-year-old woman who lived under his care and was regarded as his daughter.The sentencing took place in the Bloemfontein regional court, according to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).The court heard that the young woman had been living with the accused and his wife when the first rape occurred on 29 May 2024.While the wife was away from home, the accused entered the complainant’s bedroom during the night and sexually assaulted her.The victim later confided in a teacher about the incident.A second rape took place on 15 June 2024 while the complainant was asleep in her room beside the accused’s four-year-old child.The following morning, she informed her mother, who then alerted police.The accused fled after learning the matter had been reported, but police arrested him the next day.

During sentencing proceedings, prosecutor Amoré Coetzee argued that the complainant was especially vulnerable because she had previously suffered sexual abuse, something the accused was aware of.

The court also heard that the crimes caused severe emotional and psychological harm to both the complainant and the accused’s wife, who also had a history of sexual trauma.The court ordered that the two life sentences run consecutively rather than concurrently, increasing the severity of the punishment.The accused’s name will also be added to the National Register for Sex Offenders.

The NPA said the sentence demonstrates that courts will act firmly against people who abuse positions of trust and exploit vulnerable individuals within family environments.