32-year-old man found guilty of statutory rape
The victim (who cannot be named due to the nature of the charges) testified that she and Thabethe had sex several times.
In his plea, Thabethe told the court that he was in a consensual relationship with the victim, and also formally admitted that she was 13 years old at the time of the offence.
He further denied they had sex multiple times and said they only had sex once.
The victim testified that she met Thabethe in 2023, when he was visiting a friend in the same street as her. She said he asked if they could date, and she told him she was only 13 and was too young. Thabethe allegedly told the girl her age didn't matter to him.
The victim's parents pleaded with Thabethe to stay away from their daughter due to her age. When they realised their plea had fallen on deaf ears, they opened a case with the police. Thabethe was then arrested.
He testified to the court that he was under the impression the victim was 19 years old, as per her Facebook profile. The victim replied by saying that she only wrote that she was 19 so she could open a Facebook account.
Magistrate Deon Minnie stated that when the victim testified, she appeared to be a child under the age of 16, and did not give off the impression that she was older, 'This was so obvious that it must have been the same impression the accused had of the child's age as well,' he said.
He further added that any reasonable person, under these circumstances, would have at least taken the steps to confirm the victim's real age despite her appearance, in light of knowing that having sexual relations with a person under 16 is an offence.
• Thabethe was then found guilty on the charge of statutory rape. It was further stated that he was negligent for failing to enquire about exactly how old the girl was.
• The matter was postponed to August for sentencing.
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
16 minutes ago
- The Citizen
Cellphones stolen at Bok game: Gauteng duo to appear in Mpumalanga court
Cellphones stolen at Bok game: Gauteng duo to appear in Mpumalanga court An otherwise pleasant and well-organised rugby match left some supporters as the unfortunate victims of opportunistic theft. According to Lowvelder, Mpumalanga SAPS confirmed that two suspects were arrested at the stadium on Saturday and are expected to appear in the Nelspruit Magistrate's Court today. 'We can confirm that the two suspects were found at the stadium in possession of seven cellphones, believed to be stolen,' said provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli. 'The suspects both hail from Gauteng, and their arrest will be a lesson to others who believe Mpumalanga is a playground for thieves and robbers,' he added. The suspects were charged with theft and unlawful possession of suspected stolen property. Following reports of theft at the fixture, Lowvelder asked readers on its Facebook page about their experience. Several said their cellphones were stolen during the match. Mdhluli said detectives have identified the lawful owners of four of the recovered phones. The remaining devices are yet to be claimed. Police investigations are ongoing. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
an hour ago
- The Citizen
Woman to appear in Pietermaritzburg court after illegal alcohol bust
Woman to appear in Pietermaritzburg court after illegal alcohol bust A 28-year-old woman is set to appear in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate's Court today after she was arrested in connection with the manufacturing and distribution of illicit alcohol without a valid licence. The Witness reports she was arrested during a crime intelligence-driven operation on Saturday. A large quantity of illicit alcohol with an estimated street value of R120 000 was recovered. The multi-disciplinary operation was executed after police received information regarding illegal alcohol manufacturing activities in the Dambuza area, under the Plessislaer policing precinct. Members of the Multi-Dimensional Organised Crime Pietermaritzburg, Taylor's Halt SAPS, Plessislaer SAPS and private security company Magma Security were part of the operation. uMgungundlovu District Commissioner Major General Mduduzi Shezi commended the collaborative effort of all role players involved in ensuring that illegal operations of this nature are detected and swiftly dealt with. 'The production of unregulated alcohol not only undermines the economy but also poses serious health risks to consumers. 'The SAPS remains committed to rooting out criminal activities and urges members of the public to continue reporting suspicious operations within their communities,' said Shezi. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
17 hours ago
- The Citizen
Cybersecurity firm warns of ‘costly epidemic' as ransomware cripples SA firms
Bloemfontein-based cybersecurity firm Tanosec has issued a warning to South African businesses amid a 'dramatic surge' in ransomware demands and payments. The firm says this underscores a growing national security crisis. Bloemfontein Courant reports that, according to the Sophos State of Ransomware in South Africa Report 2025, the median ransom demanded in South Africa has increased significantly – from R2.9m in 2024 to R17m in 2025 – while median payments have also tripled, reaching R8m. The Sophos report also indicates that 60% of ransomware attacks in South Africa result in data encryption, a number that surpasses the global average. 'The numbers are alarming and serve as a stark wake-up call for every business operating in South Africa,' says Lawrence Lackey of Tanosec. 'Ransomware is no longer a distant threat; it's a present and costly epidemic that can cripple operations, tarnish reputations and impose immense financial and emotional strain on organisations and their employees.' The firm adds that compromised credentials, exploited vulnerabilities and malicious emails are the primary entry points for these sophisticated attacks. Beyond the ransom fee, the cost of an attack can be drastic, with an average recovery bill of R23m, alongside significant operational disruptions and reputational damage. Tanosec explains that only half of South African companies manage to recover within a week of a ransomware attack, indicating widespread unpreparedness. 'While the ransomware landscape is challenging, businesses can significantly reduce their risk with the right strategies and a trusted cybersecurity partner,' adds Lackey. As businesses grapple with the rising tide of sophisticated cyber threats like ransomware, individual consumers are also increasingly vulnerable to highly organised fraudsters. Investigative journalist Irma Green recently shared her own startling experience of being duped by a banking scam, highlighting how convincing these criminals can be – even to a seasoned professional. You can read her full account of how she was targeted and share your experiences here. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
