A former police officer from Montague, Frederick Soldaat (64) has been sentenced to 25 years direct imprisonment for the rape of a girl, who was 15 years old at the time of the crime. The crime occurred in the Victim Trauma Room at the Montague Police Station on 30 August 2016.

Ntabazalila added, “In his arguments, Adv Koert said the accused turned the very space where victims are supposed to feel protected and safe into the scene of his crime.”

25 years of direct imprisonment

The National Prosecuting Authority’s Regional Communications Manager, Eric Ntabazalila, says the court deviated from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment due to the accused’s medical condition. According to him, State Adv Heinrich Koert led evidence which revealed that the victim’s mother had brought her teenage daughter to the trauma room following a disagreement at home.

He added, “The court needs to restore the trust of the community in the police so that future victims of such crimes will again feel safe and come forward so that justice can be seen to be done.”

Former police officer sent to jail

Ntabazalila says the mother has asked police officers to calm her daughter. It was revealed that Soldaat was one of the police officers who attended the complaint. He says the girl was booked into the trauma room, where Soldaat later visited her at least twice while she was there. He says the case faced challenges before it could be finalised. These included the fact that it took place in the branch court, which only sits once a week.

Many challenges to the case

At the same time, the accused changed his legal representatives, which caused delays as transcripts had to be typed, and preparation time for his legal representative also had to be allowed. In addition, loadshedding, the Covid-19 pandemic, challenges with the CCTV system and the court recording systems added more delays.

Sentenced welcomed

Meanwhile, the Western Cape Director of Public Prosecution, Adv. Nicolette Bell welcomed the sentence. She also expressed shock at the heinous crime committed by a police officer who was entrusted with the safety of the minor victim.

Ntabazalila concluded, “Adv Bell said the sentencing provided justice and closure to the victim, her family and removes another violent criminal from the community.”