DNA exonerates 'incestuous' father’s paternity

The 41-year-old man of Block 4, who cannot be named for legal and ethical reasons, allegedly had sexual intercourse with his 11-year-old daughter between June 2020 and July 2021 at her mother's residence in Block 2. According to the man’s girlfriend and mother to the complainant, she caught him on top of her daughter having sex with the minor. The mother was allegedly woken by noises in her bedroom where she was in for a rude awakening from the sight of her boyfriend having sex with her daughter.

Updating the court on the status of the matter yesterday (Tuesday), sub-inspector Cecilia Nchochi told Magistrate Mareledi Dipate that the initial charge of incest cannot be sustained given the twist of events regarding the paternity of the complainant. She said this is because the DNA tests performed on the man and the complainant have determined that he is not the minor's natural father. Nchochi thereafter made an application for the amendment on the charge sheet to be adjusted from the offence of incest to rape.