Scholar transport driver gets life for raping 9-year-old girl he lured through her brother

By Zanele Mokoena

A Pretoria scholar transport driver has been sentenced to life in prison for raping a nine-year-old girl, a crime that exposes the deep betrayal of trust in communities still grappling with the legacy of apartheid-era neglect and systemic violence against Black children.

Given Mpho Mphahlele, 41, was handed down the sentence by the Pretoria Regional Court after being found guilty of rape. The case, which dates back to June 2021, reveals a chilling pattern of manipulation and abuse by a man entrusted with the safety of children.

How the predator used a child to lure his victim

Lumka Mahanjana, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the region, detailed the events that led to the assault. At the time, Mphahlele had been working as a scholar transport driver for only two months.

According to Mahanjana, the court heard that in June 2021, Mphahlele was dropping off the victim's seven-year-old brother after school. During the trip, he instructed the boy to tell his nine-year-old sister that they should visit him at his home. He also told the child to inform their mother, who was at home, that they were going outside to play.

Mphahlele then gave the boy directions to his house. When the siblings arrived home, the boy relayed the message to his sister. Together, they told their mother they were going outside to play and proceeded toward Mphahlele's residence.

Along the way, they encountered Mphahlele driving home. He instructed the children to follow his vehicle.

The rape and the threat of violence

When they arrived at his house, Mphahlele gave the seven-year-old boy money to buy tea bags from a nearby shop. But when the victim insisted on accompanying her brother, Mphahlele instructed her to remain behind.

After the boy left, Mphahlele locked the door, undressed himself and the child, and raped her. He only stopped when the victim's brother returned and began knocking on the door.

Mahanjana said Mphahlele then dressed both himself and the child and threatened to kill the victim's mother if she disclosed the incident. Before they left, he gave the children R4 to buy chicken heads.

A child's trauma finally breaks the silence

A month later, in July 2021, while the victim's mother was sending her to Mphahlele's next-door neighbor, the child became distressed and started crying. When her mother asked why, the child disclosed the rape.

The matter was immediately reported to the police, and the victim was referred to the Mamelodi Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC), where she received medical care, psychological support, and legal assistance. These centers, established to support survivors of gender-based violence, are a lifeline for Black communities that have historically been underserved by the justice system.

Following investigations, Mphahlele was arrested on August 19, 2021.

The court rejects the abuser's plea for leniency

During the trial, Mphahlele pleaded not guilty and denied committing the offense. However, prosecutor Corrine Sam presented evidence that proved the State's case beyond a reasonable doubt, resulting in his conviction.

During sentencing proceedings, Mphahlele asked the court to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence, arguing that he had three children who depended on him financially as their mother was unemployed and he was the sole breadwinner.

The State opposed this request and argued that a life sentence was appropriate, highlighting that Mphahlele had shown no remorse for his actions, even after his conviction. Prosecutor Sam further submitted that the accused had occupied a position of trust as a scholar transport driver entrusted with the safety and well-being of children. Instead, he abused that trust and violated the innocence and dignity of a vulnerable child.

In handing down the sentence, the court agreed with the State that the accused had shown no remorse and had exploited the vulnerability of an unsuspecting child. The court found no substantial and compelling circumstances justifying a deviation from the prescribed minimum sentence and concluded that a life sentence was appropriate.

What this case means for Black communities

This case is not just about one man's crime. It is about the systemic failures that allow predators to operate in plain sight, particularly in Black townships where poverty and lack of resources create opportunities for abuse. The scholar transport industry, often unregulated and underpaid, is a space where children are particularly vulnerable.

The NPA said it remains committed to prosecuting sexual offenses, particularly those committed against children. The authority also encourages victims of gender-based violence to use the services provided through its Thuthuzela Care Centres, which offer integrated support including medical treatment, counseling, and legal assistance.

But for many in our communities, the question remains: How many more children must suffer before we demand real change? The life sentence for Mphahlele is a small measure of justice, but it cannot undo the trauma inflicted on a nine-year-old girl and her family. It is a reminder that the fight for safety and dignity for Black children is far from over.