Limpopo Groom Gets Life for Raping 9-Year-Old on Wedding Night, A Betrayal Beyond Belief

A Wedding Night Turned Horror: Groom Rapes Child, Gets Life Sentence

In a case that has shaken Limpopo, a 45-year-old groom from Dennilton will spend the rest of his life behind bars for an unthinkable crime, raping a nine-year-old girl during his own wedding celebrations. The High Court in Polokwane delivered the stern sentence this week, closing a chapter on a tragedy that has left two families shattered.

The Night That Shattered Trust

It was supposed to be a day of joy. On December 24, 2023, families gathered in Dennilton to celebrate the union of the accused and his bride. Among the guests was the young victim, her mother, and her aunts—relatives of the bride who had been offered a place to sleep after the festivities.

But in the early hours, the groom crept into the room where the child slept, carried her away, and raped her. Her screams pierced the night, sending him fleeing. When her mother found her naked and traumatized, the nightmare became undeniable. Police were called, and the groom was arrested still dressed in the remnants of his wedding attire.

A Trial That Exposed a Monster

Prosecutor Shirley Mawasha didn’t mince words in court. The evidence was damning: DNA, a medical report, and even testimony from the groom’s own uncle, who revealed the accused had confessed only to later show “arrogance and no remorse” during trial.

“He turned a sacred celebration into a horror,” Mawasha argued. “He was trusted, and he exploited that trust in the worst way imaginable.”

The judge agreed, calling the crime “something fit for movies, not real life.” The fact that the groom, freshly married, chose to prey on a child instead of being with his bride underscored the depth of his depravity.

Justice Served, But Healing Remains

The life sentence brings legal closure, but the emotional wounds run deep. The victim’s family, who had supported the groom, now grapples with betrayal. Meanwhile, the NPA has praised the ruling, reaffirming its stance against gender-based violence.

“This sentence sends a message,” said NPA spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi. “We will not tolerate the abuse of the vulnerable.”

As the groom’s name is added to the National Register of Sexual Offenders, one thing is clear: no wedding vows can absolve such evil.

{Source: IOL}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com