KEY POINTS
- Former basketball coach, Marvin Minnaar, was sentenced to life in prison for kidnapping, raping, and murdering 12-year-old Sibusiso Dakuse.
- CCTV footage and forensic evidence proved his brutal crimes.
- The court’s ruling ensures he will never harm another child again
Cape Town, South Africa – A shocking case of betrayal and brutality has rocked Cape Town. Former basketball coach Marvin Minnaar has been sentenced to life in prison for kidnapping, raping, and murdering 12-year-old Sibusiso Dakuse. The Cape Town High Court handed down the ruling on Monday, ensuring he will never harm another child again.
How Minnaar Lured and Kidnapped His Young Victim
Minnaar coached the Hout Bay Snipers.
On February 26, 2020, he kidnapped Dakuse, a promising young player, after allegedly feeling “rejected” by the child. Dakuse, who lived with his grandmother in Imizamo Yethu, Hout Bay, never returned home. His grandmother, panicked by his absence, alerted authorities, sparking a desperate search.
Minnaar, pretending to be concerned, visited the Dakuse household with his stepfather to ask if they had found the boy. He falsely claimed they had walked home together but parted ways near the police station. However, CCTV footage later exposed his chilling lies, capturing Dakuse trying to flee before Minnaar violently dragged him into the bushes.
Mother’s Worst Nightmare: A Shocking Discovery
Two days after his disappearance, authorities found Dakuse’s naked body in a wetland near a horse trail. The discovery shattered the community, exposing the horrifying truth behind the boy’s tragic fate.
Autopsy Results Reveal Heinous Crimes
A forensic examination uncovered disturbing evidence. The autopsy confirmed Dakuse had been strangled. Medical experts found anal contusions, ligature marks around his neck, multiple abrasions, and a blunt-force injury to his left eye. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila condemned Minnaar’s deceit and brutality. “Even as the child’s father pleaded for answers, Minnaar maintained his deception. But the evidence was undeniable.”
Psychological Profile: The Mind of a Killer
A clinical psychologist assessed Minnaar before sentencing. The report identified antisocial personality traits, a history of defying authority, and an alarming lack of remorse. He claimed he did not realize the extent of his actions and bizarrely insisted he felt “rejected” by the child.
Justice Served: Court Hands Down Harsh Sentence
The court sentenced he ex-coach to eight years for kidnapping, life for rape, and life for murder. The kidnapping sentence will run concurrently with the life sentences. Additionally, the court has permanently banned him from owning a firearm or working with children. Authorities will add his name to the National Child Protection Register and the National Register for Sex Offenders.
Authorities hailed the verdict as a victory for justice, ensuring Minnaar can never again prey on vulnerable children.
See also: Alleged Gang Leader Denies Hiring Hitman to Murder Police Officer.
