Killer child rapist gets life

The man convicted of raping and killing six-year-old Delvina Europa was sentenced to two life terms and 13 years’ imprisonment in the Bredasdorp Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

Reagan Zietsman from Elim pleaded guilty to kidnapping, rape, murder and defeating the administration of justice last Tuesday.

He received eight years’ imprisonment for kidnapping, life imprisonment for rape, life imprisonment for murder and five years’ imprisonment for defeating the administration of justice.

All sentences are to run concurrently.

The court also ordered Zietsman’s name to be recorded in the national register for sex offenders.

Delvina was last seen on Sunday, 24 March 2019, while playing in front of a neighbour’s home in Nuwestraat when she disappeared.

The Grade 1 pupil from Elim Moravian Primary School was reported missing the next day, and on the Tuesday, the community found her body in a bush.

In his affidavit to the court, Zietsman detailed what he had done to Delvina.

He admitted that he raped her in the bushes close to a school.

In order to keep Delvina quiet, he placed his hand over her nose and mouth, smothering her to death.

During arguments in aggravation and mitigation of sentencing, state prosecutor advocate Maria Marshall called Dr Louise Mari Kruger, who confirmed the cause of death to be consistent with smothering.

Zietsman has a previous conviction of rape of a 15-year-old girl for which he received a suspended sentence of five years in January 2017 in the same court.

He raped and murdered Delvina during his suspended sentence.

The acting director of public prosecutions, advocate Nicolette Bell, thanked Marshall and the investigating team for their hard work.

“This matter is one such success. The National Prosecuting Authority will continue to strive to bring justice to all victims of child murder and their families,” she added.

Bredasdorp community activist Lana O’Neil, who works with victims of rape and assault and families of victims, say they all welcome the sentencing.

She commended Marshall for securing the conviction and says the community and family are satisfied with the outcome of the case.

African News Agency