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Jo-Ann Rochelle Klaase (45), a trusted member of the Vioolsdrift community in the Northern Cape, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for various sexual offenses against children.
The regional court in Springbok found Klaase guilty on 33 charges relating to offenses against children between the ages of seven and 12. The offenses were committed between January 2022 and 29 November 2023 in the Vioolsdrift area.
Klaase was found guilty on six charges of forced rape, 11 charges relating to attempts to incite or instruct a child to commit a sexual offence, seven charges of sexual exploitation of a child, seven charges of forcing or causing children to witness a sexual offence, and two charges of sexual preparation (“grooming”).
According to Mojalefa Senokoatsane, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Klaase regularly hosted church meetings and Bible lessons for local children at her home. Parents allowed their children to attend these activities because Klaase was considered a trusted member of the community.
In terms of a plea agreement, Klaase admitted that she held a position of trust towards the victims. She also admitted that she deliberately gained the children’s trust by giving them money, sweets and snacks and taking them on outings.
According to her confession, this action was aimed at gaining the children’s trust and making them more susceptible to her influence. She used the position of trust to groom vulnerable children, lure them to her home and involve them in sexual acts.
The court found that Klaase systematically abused the trust that the victims and their families placed in her. What was presented as a place of religious guidance and community support, according to the court, became a place of manipulation and sexual exploitation of vulnerable children.
Klaase was sentenced to 25 years in prison on the first group of charges, of which five years were suspended for a term of five years on the condition that she is not again found guilty of any offense in terms of the Criminal Law Amendment Act on Sexual Offenses and Related Matters.
She was sentenced to 20 years and various sentences of 10 years in prison on the other charges. However, the court ordered that all the sentences be served concurrently with the 25-year sentence. Her effective sentence is therefore 25 years in prison, of which five years are suspended.
The court also ordered that Klaase’s name be entered in the national register for sex offenders. She was declared unfit to work with children and also declared unfit to own a firearm.
Senokoatsane says the prosecuting authority welcomes the conviction and sentence.
The NPA praised the prosecution team, led by Regional Court State Prosecutor Basil Kock, as well as investigators from the South African Police Service, for their dedication and victim-oriented approach in the case.
“The NPA remains committed to combating gender-based violence and the sexual exploitation of children. Through strong prosecution and cooperation with law enforcement and support services, the NPA will continue to hold perpetrators accountable and help create safer communities for women and children.”
According to Senokoatsane, the Thuthuzela care center in Springbok also played an important role by providing essential psychosocial support to the victims.