The Pretoria High Court has handed down two life sentences to 37-year-old Hugo Ferreira for the brutal rape and murder of his eight-day-old daughter, Caithlyn, in a case that has shocked the nation and underscored the scourge of gender-based violence in South Africa.
Ferreira and the infant’s mother were in a relationship and lived together in Welverdiend, Carletonville. On June 8, 2023, the mother left home briefly to sell clothes to buy nappies, leaving Caithlyn in Ferreira’s care. Before she left, Ferreira warned her to return within five minutes as the baby was breastfeeding.
When the mother failed to return on time and the newborn began crying, Ferreira flew into a rage. According to evidence presented in court, he assaulted and raped the infant, using his fingers to violate her and rubbing his genitals against hers. Shockingly, Ferreira later told authorities he was “giving the baby a reason to cry.”
Upon her return, the mother discovered the horrific injuries inflicted on her child. Ferreira was arrested immediately, and Caithlyn was rushed to the hospital, where she died the following day from her injuries.
Ferreira and the infant’s mother were in a relationship and lived together in Welverdiend, Carletonville. On June 8, 2023, the mother left home briefly to sell clothes to buy nappies, leaving Caithlyn in Ferreira’s care. Before she left, Ferreira warned her to return within five minutes as the baby was breastfeeding.
When the mother failed to return on time and the newborn began crying, Ferreira flew into a rage. According to evidence presented in court, he assaulted and raped the infant, using his fingers to violate her and rubbing his genitals against hers. Shockingly, Ferreira later told authorities he was “giving the baby a reason to cry.”
Upon her return, the mother discovered the horrific injuries inflicted on her child. Ferreira was arrested immediately, and Caithlyn was rushed to the hospital, where she died the following day from her injuries.
