Zuko Komisa

A 38-year-old Bethlehem man has been convicted and sentenced in the Bethlehem Magistrate’s Court for the sexual grooming of his 14-year-old stepdaughter.
The conviction follows a detailed investigation by the South African Police Service (SAPS) that began in 2023.
The case came to light after the victim’s mother reported allegations of sexual abuse. Sergeant Frans Mofokeng led the investigation, which revealed that the suspect had been engaging in sexual grooming since the girl was 12 years old, with the abuse occurring at their Bethlehem residence between 2021 and 2023.
Further details from the police statement indicated that the perpetrator allegedly forced the victim to watch pornographic material.
The 14-year-old girl experienced a significant change in behavior and was subsequently referred to a psychologist. It was during these sessions that she disclosed the abuse, leading to a formal case being registered while the suspect was in the United States of America.
The stepfather was apprehended upon his return to South Africa on November 13, 2023, at OR Tambo International Airport.
During the trial, prosecutor Mr. Nhlapo stated that the suspect pleaded guilty to the charge of sexual grooming. He was found guilty and sentenced to six years imprisonment, with half of the sentence suspended for five years.
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