Ex-cop sentenced for sexually assaulting her son
The Middelburg High Court has handed a 14-year prison sentence to a former police officer for the sexual assault of her minor son.
The accused, whose identity is being withheld to protect the victim, was found guilty on multiple counts, including sexual assault and child pornography production.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said in 2020, the woman who was stationed at Groblersdal Police Station, approached a traditional healer, who advised her to bathe her 12-year-old son with traditional medicine and simulate sexual intercourse as part of a ritual to dispel evil spirits.
“The healer instructed her to film the act and send it to him, after which he extorted money from her, threatening to release the video if she failed to comply,” sad NPA spokesperson, Monica Nyuswa.
In court proceedings, the mother pleaded guilty to all charges, entering into a plea and sentence agreement under Section 105A of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977.
“While she claimed that no actual intercourse took place, the fact that such an act was simulated stands as testament to the extreme violation of trust and safeguarding that should exist between a parent and child,” the NPA stated.
The court’s sentencing comprised ten years for the sexual assault count, with two years suspended provided the accused commits no further offences within that period. Additionally, she received two-year sentences for both the production and possession of child pornography, with the latter running concurrently with the sexual assault sentence.
Overall, she is to serve an effective sentence of eight years while also being declared unfit to possess a firearm.
In mitigating circumstances, the court acknowledged the accused’s cooperation with law enforcement, her confession, and her time served awaiting trial as factors to consider.
However, the prosecution argued that these considerations do not excuse the violation of trust that has occurred nor the need for stringent justice in cases involving vulnerable victims.
IOL