South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority welcomed the Calvinia Regional Court’s sentence of 27-year-old Jason Galant to 22 years’ direct imprisonment for raping a 14-year-old child.
The court ordered that Galant’s name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders and declared him unfit to work with children and to possess a firearm.
The court heard that on 28 August 2023, the child was asleep at a friend’s house when Galant entered and raped her. Evidence indicated that she was under the influence of alcohol and unaware of the assault at the time. DNA evidence linked Galant to the offence.
During sentencing, prosecutor Mortlan Kiewiets stressed the seriousness of the crime and the need to protect women and children from sexual violence. He urged the court to impose a substantial sentence reflecting the gravity of the offence.
The NPA acknowledged Court Preparation Officer Marjorie De Wee, who prepared witnesses to testify and explained the court process, helping them participate with greater confidence.
The authority said the sentence holds Galant accountable and reinforces that sexual violence against children has severe consequences. It added that it will continue to prioritise prosecutions involving gender-based violence and femicide.
