The Western Cape High Court dismisses a rapist's appeal, reinforcing the importance of judicial accountability while shedding light on the alarming rise of familial rapes in South Africa.
“Raising a hue and cry and collapsing in a trembling and sobbing heap is not the benchmark for determining whether or not a woman has been raped.”
With this statement, Western Cape High Court Acting Judge Siviwe Yake dismissed the sentence appeal of a convicted rapist, who accused his minor stepdaughter of seducing him, which led to the “abhorrent and heinous” rape incident.
The man, who is not named in court papers to protect the identity of his stepdaughter, appealed against his life sentence handed to him in the Blue Downs Regional Court.
During the trial, the man pleaded not guilty to the rape of the 15-year-old girl, which occurred on the same bed he shared with his wife, who had fallen asleep after taking sleeping pills.
