A 22-year-old man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after being convicted of raping his biological mother while she was asleep at her home in Carnarvon, Northern Cape, South Africa.
The Carnarvon Regional Court handed down the sentence after the accused pleaded guilty to rape following the presentation of DNA evidence that linked him to the offence.
The incident occurred on November 23, 2025, when the 42-year-old woman and her life partner had been drinking alcohol before falling asleep at their home.
The accused, who had also been drinking at a friend’s residence, later returned home and found his mother and her partner asleep.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), he sexually assaulted his mother while she was unconscious.
NPA spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane said the accused removed his mother’s clothing and sexually penetrated her without her consent.
The woman eventually woke up during the assault and discovered that her son was on top of her. After confronting him, he reportedly fled from the house.
She subsequently informed her partner about the incident, after which the matter was reported to the police.
Following his arrest, the accused initially denied the allegation in a written statement. However, subsequent DNA analysis provided evidence linking him to the crime.
Senokoatsane said the prosecution presented the court with the complainant’s testimony alongside the DNA evidence, leaving the accused to ultimately plead guilty to rape.
During the sentencing proceedings, the victim also delivered a victim impact statement detailing the emotional consequences of the assault.
She told the court that she had raised her son as a single parent and described the incident as a deeply painful betrayal. She said she continues to receive counselling and has experienced lasting trauma, including difficulty sleeping.
The court considered the guilty plea as a mitigating circumstance but determined that the gravity of the offence justified a substantial prison term.
The accused was consequently sentenced to 20 years’ direct imprisonment.
The court also ordered that his details be entered into South Africa’s National Register for Sex Offenders.
How did this story make you feel?
Join the conversation
Share a thoughtful response. Submissions may be reviewed before appearing.
