Mother protecting her baby’s rapist imprisoned for life

A WOMAN who protected the man who raped her two-month-old daughter has been sentenced to life in prison.

The 29-year-old‚ who cannot be named to protect the identity of her child‚ sobbed loudly as Johannesburg High Court Acting Judge Carla van Veenenda found that there were no substantial and compelling circumstances to justify a sentence of anything less than life.

“This case is unique in that only the person doing the aiding‚ abetting (of the baby’s rape) is being prosecuted‚ while the real perpetrator is not before court with her‚” the acting judge said.

The November 2016 rape of the baby was so severe that it was almost fatal. The little one had to undergo reconstructive surgery to repair the damage to her tiny body.

But‚ while seminal fluid was found on the child‚ it could not be identified.

The baby’s mother‚ however‚ adamant that the baby had not raped.

“On the objective evidence: a male person penetrated the private parts of the child‚ tearing her in the process.

“But the accused is not taking the court into her confidence. As long as she refuses to take the court into her confidence‚ the court cannot find that there is true remorse‚ indicated by a change of heart and an unburdening,” the judge found.

Her lawyers have said that the Mozambican woman would seek leave to appeal both her conviction for abetting the rape of her baby and defeating the ends of justice – as well as her life sentence. — was been