Rapist Father Gets Life Imprisonment

The Verulam Regional Court sentenced a 32-year-old man to life imprisonment, for the rape of his 10-year-old biological daughter in November 2019. The incident took place in the Cottonlands area. The girl and her eight-year-old brother visited their father who lived with their granny.  They found him alone in his room, as their granny had gone out. After speaking to them for a while, the man gave the boy his cellphone and sent him to another room, while he closed the door and raped the girl.

Thereafter, he took the children back home to their mother and the rape incident came to light when the mother questioned the girl about the sanitary pad. They reported the matter to the Police and the girl was then taken to the Thuthuzela Care Centre at the Mahatma Gandhi Hospital in Phoenix, where she received medico-legal and psycho-social assistance.

The man evaded the Police for two months but was eventually arrested.  His defence in court was bare denial and Regional Court Prosecutor Nondumiso Cele led the testimonies of the girl's brother, her mother who was the first report and medical evidence from the doctor. 

In aggravation of the sentence, Cele submitted a Victim Impact Statement to the court, that was compiled by the girl and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Bongiwe Qwabe, the girl stated: “she was embarrassed and could no longer play with other children in the area as they knew what happened to her”. She said that she wanted the court and God to punish her father.

The National Prosecuting Authority(NPA) welcomes the successful finalisation of this matter and applauds the Prosecution and stakeholders who contributed to this success.

Note: The NPA’s media statements are available on the website: www.npa.gov.za

Issued by: Natasha Ramkisson-Kara

Regional Spokesperson: DPP KZN