Lumka Mahanjana
NPA Regional Spokesperson
The Pretoria High Court has sentenced Hugo Ferreira, a 37-year-old man from Carletonville to two life terms for the rape and murder of his 8-days old daughter, Caithlyn Ferreira.
Ferreira and the child’s mother, who were in a relationship, lived together in Welverdiend, Carletonville.
On 08 June 2023, the mother left home to sell clothes to buy nappies, entrusting the infant to Ferreira’s care.
Before she departed, Ferreira instructed her to return within five minutes as the baby was breastfeeding.
When she failed to return on time and the baby began crying, Ferreira, enraged, assaulted, and raped the newborn.
He used his fingers to violate her and rubbed his private parts against hers, later claiming he was “giving the baby a reason to cry.”
Upon the mother’s return, Ferreira initially hid the injured child and refused to hand her over.
The mother then called the police.
As he was handing the baby over in the presence of the police, her injuries became evident.
Ferreira was arrested immediately, and the infant was rushed to the hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries the following day.
In court, Ferreira pleaded guilty to the charges of rape and murder, and said he acted out of anger toward the mother.
During sentencing, he requested the court to deviate from imposing the prescribed minimum sentence, arguing that his guilty plea saved court time and demonstrated remorse.
Prosecutor Advocate Andre Wilsenach strongly opposed this and asked for life imprisonment.
He said Ferreira’s the acts were heinous, and he committed them against his own defenceless 8-day-old baby to spite the mother for her delay.
Wilsenach emphasized Ferreira’s role as the biological father, who should have protected his child, not abused his position to harm her.
Adv Wilsenach also highlighted Ferreira’s criminal history, including five previous convictions, one for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, underscoring his violent tendencies.
Therefore, he asked the court not to deviate from imposing the prescribed minimum sentence.
Judge Portia Phahlane rejected Ferreira’s plea for leniency and agreed with submissions made by the State.
She ruled that his guilty plea stemmed from overwhelming evidence the state had against him, not genuine remorse, and found no substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from the minimum sentence.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes this sentence, which reflects the gravity of a father’s crimes against his child.
This case reaffirms our unwavering commitment to combating gender-based violence and femicide, ensuring that perpetrators face the full weight of justice.