Three children, nine years of abuse: Rapist jailed for life - IOL

Christiaan Francisco Fortleza van der Linde, 37, has been sentenced to three life terms after pleading guilty to 119 charges involving the rape, grooming and sexual exploitation of three children between 2015 and 2024.

Christiaan Francisco Fortleza van der Linde, 37, has been handed three life imprisonment sentences after pleading guilty to 119 charges involving the rape and sexual exploitation of three children over nine years.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane said the case exposed a disturbing pattern of calculated abuse and manipulation.

"The accused's conduct was neither isolated nor a once-off lapse in judgement, but rather a sustained pattern of calculated and manipulative behaviour directed at children over an extended period," Senokoatsane said.

Van der Linde was sentenced by the Welkom Regional Court, sitting as a designated Sexual Offences Court.

His crimes, committed between 2015 and 2024, included rape, sexual assault, human trafficking, kidnapping, attempted murder and offences involving child sexual abuse material.

The first victim was between 12 and 17 years old when the abuse began in 2015. Van der Linde used a position of trust to groom, rape and sexually exploit the child over five years.

He also created sexual abuse material involving the victim, which he sold and distributed through a pornographic website.

Between 2022 and 2024, he targeted a second child, aged between 11 and 14.

When the offences came to light, he kidnapped and trafficked the victim before attempting to murder the child in an attempted murder-suicide incident.

He also manipulated the second victim into creating sexual abuse material involving a third child.

During sentencing, the State opposed the defence's request for a departure from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment.

Four victim impact statements revealed the devastating consequences of the abuse, with two victims reportedly becoming suicidal.

The court imposed three life sentences for rape and human trafficking, alongside additional prison terms for the remaining offences.

Van der Linde was also ordered to be placed on the National Register for Sex Offenders, declared unfit to possess a firearm and prohibited from working with children.

He was further barred from possessing or using electronic devices while serving his sentence.

"The NPA remains committed to protecting children from sexual predators and ensuring that those who exploit their vulnerability and abuse positions of trust face the full consequences of the law," Senokoatsane said.