Father Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for raping own child

A 42-year-old man from Chief Hikwa, Dombodema, Plumtree has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for raping his biological daughter.

The victim, who was 13 years old at the time of the incident in 2013, was repeatedly raped by her father, resulting in her falling pregnant .

According to court records, the accused person took advantage of his wife’s absence one night and raped his daughter, threatening her that if she reported him, she would lose a breadwinner.

The victim fled from home after giving birth in 2016 and went to Botswana, returning home in December 2024 with her 8-year-old daughter.

Fearing that her daughter might also be abused, the victim made a police report, leading to the arrest of the accused person. He was arraigned before the Plumtree Magistrates’ Court on rape charges and subsequently sentenced to 20 years imprisonment.