A Cape Town man, Saadiq Rajap, has been sentenced to 15 years' direct imprisonment for the rape and sexual assault of an 11-year-old girl. The sentencing took place at the Mitchells Plain Regional Court. Rajap was convicted on charges of rape and sexual assault committed against a minor. The incidents occurred on April 10, 2024.
According to the court, the girl's 13-year-old friend invited her to play pool at Rajap's house. After obtaining permission from her grandmother, the girl accompanied her friend to Rajap's house. Rajap then asked the friend to accompany him to Mitchells Plain Town Centre to purchase a plug, while the girl remained in the vehicle.
The court heard that Rajap moved from the driver's seat into the rear of the taxi he was driving, approached the girl, and began touching her breasts over her clothing. When the friend returned to the vehicle stating the money was not enough, she was sent back into the shop with the correct amount.
The girl testified that she and her friend later travelled to Khayelitsha with Rajap so he could have his taxi repaired. During the trip, Rajap again sent her friend to a nearby spaza shop to buy snacks and an energy drink. In her absence, Rajap touched the victim's breasts and proceeded to touch her private parts, inserting his finger into her vagina.
The girl told the court that she removed Rajap's hand and that he subsequently offered her money in an attempt to prevent her from reporting the incident. She stated that she never consented to any sexual contact. After the incident, the girl confided in a teammate from her soccer team, and her mother later discovered messages relating to the incident on a cell phone.
During the trial, Rajap pleaded not guilty, claiming that the girl had willingly removed her clothes while seated in the back of the taxi. He claimed he accidentally touched the girl's breasts after tripping while entering the vehicle and that he asked for her permission to touch her breasts and private parts, which she allegedly consented to.
The court accepted the State's case and convicted Rajap. He was sentenced to 15 years' direct imprisonment for rape, with five years suspended for five years on condition that he is not convicted of rape or sexual assault during the period of suspension. His name was entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders, and he was declared unsuitable to work with children and unfit to possess a firearm.
Key points
- The accused was found guilty of raping and sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl.
- The court sentenced Rajap to 15 years in prison, with five years suspended.
- Rajap's name was entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.
