Tuesday, May 27, 2025 - A local pastor has been sentenced to life imprisonment for r3ping a 12-year-old girl in South Africa.
The Regional Court sitting in Edenburg, south of
Bloemfontein in the Free State, convicted Albert Tamasane, 47) on two counts of
r3pe and one count of s3xual assault.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in a statement on
Monday, May 26, 2025 said the State’s case arose from a series of incidents
that began when the victim, then 12 years old, and her mother moved in with the
accused and his wife, who also served as their church pastor
During this time, the victim’s mother passed away, leaving
the child orphaned. Following her mother’s d3ath, the victim remained in the
care of the accused and his wife, where the abuse subsequently took place.
It was at this time that the accused a Pastor began raping
the victim from March 2019 when his wife was working night shifts.
These incidents continued until November 2019, when the
victim could not take it anymore and eventually informed the wife of the
accused as to what was happening. The matter was reported to the police, and
the accused was arrested and charged with five counts of r3p
During the trial, Regional Court Prosecutor Leon Ehlers
argued that the accused demonstrated no remorse for his actions. He emphasised
that, as a self-proclaimed man of God entrusted by the community, the accused
was expected to be a protector, particularly of the vulnerable, and not an
abuser.
The prosecutor highlighted the grave betrayal of trust,
especially considering that the victim's mother had placed her faith in the
accused to care for her child following her passing.
Describing the accused as a danger to society, and urged the
court to remove him from the community.
The prosecutor further submitted that the only appropriate
sentence for someone who abused his position of spiritual leadership to target
children was life imprisonment, and that the court should find the accused
guilty on all charges.
In sentencing, the court convicted the accused on 2 counts
of r3pe and 1 count of s3xual assault and sentenced him to life imprisonment on
count one of rape, on two counts of r3pe: life imprisonment and on count three
sexual assault of 5 years imprisonment.
The court ordered that the sentence on counts 2 and 3 run
concurrently with the sentence on count 1.
“The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) remains steadfast
in its commitment to combating the scourge of gender-based violence (GBV) in
all its forms,” the statement read.
“Through the diligent work of its prosecutors and close
collaboration with law enforcement, the NPA strives to ensure that perpetrators
are not only brought to justice but also face the full weight of the law
“By securing convictions and advocating for appropriately
severe sentences, the NPA plays a critical role in holding offenders
accountable, deterring future crimes, and safeguarding vulnerable members of
society. Removing such individuals from communities is essential to restoring
public trust and upholding the rights and dignity of victims.”
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