The Thohoyandou High Court last Thursday sentenced a 55-year-old man, David Tshilowa of Tswika village in the Tshitale area, to spend the rest of his life in custody for raping his daughter in 2007 at his home.

The court heard that in July 2007, Tshilowa sent his children to buy some sweets at a nearby spaza shop. This happened when his wife went to Louis Trichardt to buy groceries. When his children came back, Tshilowa lured the daughter into the bedroom where he repeatedly raped her. After raping her, he gave the young girl money and instructed her not to tell anyone about the rape.

When her mother arrived back from town, the young girl told her mother what had happened. The mother did not hesitate and took the girl to the nearby clinic where nurses examined her and confirmed that she had been raped. The clinic transferred the victim to Elim Hospital where the doctors confirmed that she had been raped. The incident was thereafter reported to the Tshitale SAPS who arrested the man. He remained in custody since 2007 while his case was postponed for several times.

Before imposing judgement, Judge George Hetisani said women and young ladies are sick and tired of rapes. He said Thsilowa deserved a heavy sentence, so that it will send a clear message to other rapists that their day will come.

“The trauma will not vanish from her (the victim’s) mind and she will regard men as monsters, because of your animalistic behaviour,” the judge said. He sentenced Tshilowa to a life sentence behind bars.

Community members this week said they are satisfied with the verdict. They also appealed to those fathers who make themselves guilty of such barbaric deeds to stop it immediately.