The man entered the home of the victim through a window and proceeded to assault her sexually in her bedroom.
Image: DFA / Created with DALL-E
A 30-YEAR-old man who crept into a woman’s home through a window and sexually assaulted her as she slept has been sentenced in the Keimoes Regional Court – though he won’t serve a single day behind bars.
Northern Cape police spokesperson Colonel Cherelle Ehlers said the attack took place in the early hours of Sunday, August 20, 2023, when the intruder, Sardiuney Witbooi, entered the 26-year-old victim’s bedroom and assaulted her while her father and boyfriend were asleep in the same house. Her cries for help woke them, and police were quickly called to the scene.
Witbooi was arrested shortly after and appeared in court on charges of sexual assault. The investigation, led by Detective Warrant Officer Eddie Mokgalagadi from the Kakamas SAPS Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit, resulted in Witbooi being convicted.
He was handed a four-year prison sentence – but the court suspended it in full for five years, meaning he will only serve time if he re-offends during that period. The court also ruled that he is unfit to possess a firearm.
The case highlights ongoing concerns around contact crimes in the Northern Cape, with the police pledging to intensify efforts to tackle gender-based violence and related offences. Authorities continue to urge victims to come forward and report crimes by using the MySAPS app or the Crime Stop number 08600 10111.