The Namakwa District Management welcomed and embraced the lengthy conviction handed down to Elton Pieterse, 40 years old, from Calvinia, who was sentenced to 50 (fifty) years imprisonment in the Calvinia Regional Court on 09 April 2026 after pleading guilty to all charges. On 13 December 2024, the accused entered the family home to confirm that the victim was alone. He then forced her into her room and raped her. On 17 December 2024, he returned to the home and once again confirmed that she was alone, and repeated the same violent act. On 20 December 2024, whilst at a relative’s home, the victim fell asleep and when she awoke, she found the accused in the room who attempted to rape her again. The victim who was 17 years of the time of the incident, later discovered she was pregnant in April 2025, at which point she disclosed the full extent of the abuse to a nurse at a local clinic, leading to the formal investigation and prosecution of the accused. The court imposed the following sentence: Count 1 – Rape sentenced to 20 years imprisonment Count 2 – Rape sentenced to 20 years imprisonment and Count 3 – Attempted Rape for which he received 10 years imprisonment. All 3 counts will be served concurrently in terms of Section 280 of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977. Additionally the court instructed that the accused name be recorded in the National Register for Sex Offenders and In terms of Section 120(4) of the Children’s Act 38 of 2005, the accused is deemed unsuitable to work with children and was also declared unfit to possess a firearm. Brigadier Schalk Andrews, the Namakwa District Commissioner congratulated the investigating officer, Constable Gregory Settley for the meticulous investigation of the case which resulted in justice served for the victim. The conviction is a clear message that crimes of this nature will be pursued with the full might of the law. End. Enquiries Captain Ivan Magerman Saps Namakwa Communications Officer 0834789317