A 66-year-old Free State man has been sentenced to 15 years' direct imprisonment for repeatedly raping his younger sister over a six-year period, with the Phuthaditjhaba Regional Court finding him guilty of offences committed between 1993 and 1999.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) stated that the accused's identity is being withheld to protect the complainant and her family.

According to evidence before the court, the abuse began in October 1993 when the complainant was 10 years old and the accused was 30. He repeatedly raped and assaulted her at their family home, often during the night and sometimes during the day whenever they were alone.

The complainant tried to report the abuse to her father, but his poor health prevented him from helping her. She later fell pregnant at the age of 16 and gave birth to a son fathered by the accused. Despite rebuilding her life and becoming a teacher, she continued to suffer emotional and psychological trauma.

After receiving psychological counselling, she reported the matter to police in December 2018. The case was initially withdrawn after it was found there was insufficient evidence to prosecute.

The complainant later approached prosecutor Didimalang Celestial Sebogo to review the matter. After examining the case docket and working with the investigating officer to obtain DNA evidence, the State confirmed the accused was the biological father of the complainant's son. The matter was then enrolled for prosecution.

During sentencing, the State argued the accused had betrayed his duty as a protector, showed no remorse and deserved a custodial sentence despite more than three decades having passed. The court agreed and imposed a 15-year direct prison sentence.

"The passage of time will not deter the prosecution of serious offences. Where sufficient evidence exists, the NPA will pursue justice regardless of how many years have elapsed since the commission of the crime." Said Mojalefa Senokoatsane, the NPS Regional Spokesperson.