- Maritz used his legal knowledge and family role to groom and abuse five girls under 14.
- He was convicted on 16 charges, including rape, grooming, and producing child pornography.
- The NPA says the sentence shows that “no one is untouchable” when it comes to protecting children.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has welcomed the sentencing of Jan Gysbert Maritz, a 58-year-old lawyer from Welkom, to three life terms and 68 years in prison for sexually abusing five children over a decade.
“This is justice for the victims and their families,” said Mojalefa Senokoatsane, NPA spokesperson for the Free State. “No one is untouchable. Not lawyers, not family members. If you harm children, we will come for you.”
The abuse came to light in March 2019 when two of Maritz’s stepdaughters disclosed what had happened to their mother. Investigators found a pattern of abuse dating back to 2007, when one of the girls was just seven years old.
The victims included Maritz’s two stepdaughters, his niece, and two of their friends, all under the age of 14. He groomed them, exposed them to pornography, sexually assaulted them, and recorded some of the acts to produce child pornography.
Legal knowledge used to harm, not protect
“He used his position as a father figure and his legal knowledge to manipulate and silence them,” said Advocate Amanda Bester during sentencing. “He is a danger to society and must be removed permanently.”
The NPA said Maritz’s actions were a gross betrayal of trust, not only as a parent figure but also as a legal professional who understood the law and used it to cover his crimes.
“This sentence sends a strong message that justice applies to everyone,” said Senokoatsane. “We urge communities to report abuse, support survivors, and help us protect children.”
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