Ga onbeperkt met Magzter GOLD

Ga onbeperkt met Magzter GOLD

Krijg onbeperkte toegang tot meer dan 9000 tijdschriften, kranten en Premium-verhalen voor slechts

$149.99
 
$74.99/Jaar

Poging GOUD - Vrij

Young girl's testimony secures life sentence for rapist

The Mercury

|

October 01, 2025

THE resilience of a little girl — the youngest person to testify in her own rape case in South Africa — has been lauded for ensuring the prosecution and sentencing of a 55-year-old George man to life imprisonment.

- MERCURY CORRESPONDENT

The victim was three years old when she was raped and sexually assaulted. She was four years old when she testified for four consecutive days.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said the Thembalethu Regional Court sentenced child rapist Ian Hoggins to life imprisonment after the State successfully argued that there was no other fitting sentence following his conviction for child rape, sexual assault, and illegal possession of 124 child pornographic images.

The court declared him unfit to possess a firearm and ordered his name to be entered into the National Register of Sex Offenders.

According to the NPA, after the court ruled that Hoggins must serve his sentence, he attempted to commit suicide in court and had to be rushed to the hospital.

MEER VERHALEN VAN The Mercury

The Mercury

Shay Mitchell defends skincare line for children: emphasising self-care over beauty standards

AS A MOM, I'm all too familiar with the curiosity little girls have about make-up and skincare.

time to read

2 mins

November 25, 2025

The Mercury

SA’s crisis: gender-based violence at five times the global average

RAINBOW South Africa experiences some of the world’s highest levels of violence against women.

time to read

1 min

November 25, 2025

The Mercury

G20 acclaim ignores realities in SA

CHLOE Maluleke (The Mercury, November 21) must be commended for placing media acclaim concerning South Africa's hosting of the G20 summit within the context of the realities prevailing in the country.

time to read

1 mins

November 25, 2025

The Mercury

The Mercury

KZN prepares for festive season spike in GBV

KWAZULU-NATAL authorities and civil society organisations are preparing for an anticipated rise in gender-based violence (GBV) during the festive season, with data and on-the-ground experience pointing to increased risk linked to alcohol abuse, drug use and family stress.

time to read

3 mins

November 25, 2025

The Mercury

The Mercury

Steenhuisen accused of using state resources to purge his political opponents

THE DA leader John Steenhuisen has been accused of applying ‘ANC tactics’ to purge his political opponents ahead of the party’s elective conference next year.

time to read

2 mins

November 25, 2025

The Mercury

Challenge to eThekwini city manager’s appointment heads to Concourt

AN ETHEKWINI Municipality employee, who challenged the appointment of eThekwini municipal manager Musa Mbhele on the basis of alleged irregularities in the hiring process, is seeking leave to appeal in the Constitutional Court after the high court dismissed his case.

time to read

2 mins

November 25, 2025

The Mercury

The Mercury

Storm destruction in KwaZulu-Natal

One person died, two remain massing as homes, roads washed away in New Hanover

time to read

2 mins

November 25, 2025

The Mercury

The Mercury

Sharks look to build momentum in Ireland after first win of the season

THE Sharks will look to back up their first victory of the United Rugby Championship (URC) season when they face Connacht in Galway this weekend, knowing the Irish side has had the upper hand in recent encounters.

time to read

1 mins

November 25, 2025

The Mercury

AI technology won’t destroy jobs, it will create new ones

OUR panic about AI is without foundation.

time to read

2 mins

November 25, 2025

The Mercury

The Mercury

Human backs depth as Boks seek Welsh scalp

IT’S undoubtedly a blow to be without several frontline stars for this weekend’s final Test of the 2025 season, but the Springboks have grown used to constant team changes over the past year - and they should still approach Saturday’s clash against Wales with minimal disruption.

time to read

2 mins

November 25, 2025

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size