Discretion advised: The following story contains details of sexual abuse and rape which could be upsetting or triggering for some readers 

A 52-year-old Malmesbury man has been sentenced to life behind bars for the sexual abuse of his three biological daughters, with his heinous crimes continuing for more than a decade.

Police say the accused would take the children, one at a time, to their holiday home where he would force them to perform oral sex on him and then proceed to rape them.

Their ordeal began when they were just two years old and continued until they were young teens.

The children only told their mother about the years-long abuse when she decided to divorce him, due to his refusal to find a job, leading to his arrest in December 2021.

Shockingly, he was released on a warning the following day due to a jurisdiction dispute between courts. He was eventually re-arrested, but he remained out on bail, despite his admitting that he experiences sexual urges towards children.

The matter was repeatedly postponed over the years, as the accused changed legal representation three times and sought psychiatric observation.

Psychiatric specialists ultimately found that he was fit to stand trial and could be held criminally accountable for his actions.

During court proceedings earlier this year, all three daughters addressed the court through victim impact statements.

They spoke about the lasting emotional and psychological effects, including struggles with trust, relationships, anger, and mental wellbeing. Each expressed how the abuse has shaped their lives into adulthood.

The victims made it clear that the harm caused runs deep and cannot be undone. They called for accountability and appropriate sentencing.

The accused pleaded guilty to the charges on Tuesday, 21 July 2026, and was sentenced to life imprisonment.

The case details have also been entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.

The office of the Provincial Police Commissioner has commended the investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Felicity Balie of the Paarl FCS, for her tireless work and commitment to ensure that the victims get justice and that the perpetrator is put behind bars for the longest time.

Action Society’s Juanita du Preez says justice took over four years and 20 court postponements.

“The victims in this case had to live with the fear of running into their abuser while the court process stalled repeatedly. Cases involving the sexual abuse of children should never take this long to reach finality.”