Father sentenced for raping, murdering son

A WORCESTER father has received two life sentences for the rape and murder of his one-yearold son.

Police have hailed the sentence, saying it is indicative of the priority placed on crimes perpetrated against women and children.

Charles Witbooi, 38, was found guilty in the Western Cape High Court for the crimes against his son, Charleston Britz. Witbooi tried to pin the blame on gangsters in the area.

It all unfolded in May last year, when, in the early hours of the morning, rival gangsters clashed in Avian Park over territorial issues.

At about 6pm that same day, police were contacted by the local hospital, informing them that a one-year-old boy had died, said police spokesperson FC Van Wyk.

Van Wyk said Witbooi had alleged that the Young Red Criminals gang had pelted his son with stones as he was carrying him, which fatally wounded the child.

Van Wyk said, however, that suspicions mounted regarding the father’s story over the times and place of the incident. “Later that night, the father was brought in for questioning and was subsequently arrested, based on allegations of murder.

“During the investigation, Detective Constable Johan Saayman discovered that the child had sustained severe injuries to his body. Furthermore, the child had also sustained serious injuries around his anal area and his internal organs had been damaged,” Van Wyk said.

Witbooi was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment for both rape and murder. He also received one year in jail for assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm; two years’ imprisonment for kidnapping; and three months’ imprisonment for malicious damage to property.

“The outcome of the case was well received by the provincial commissioner, Lieutenant-General Khombinkosi Jula, who said that no person who committed such a crime to a child should be allowed back into society. He congratulated the investigating officer for doing everything possible to get to the truth in the case and ensuring a conviction.”