LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPING A 14-YEAR-OLD

17 DECEMBER 2025

LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPING A 14-YEAR-OLD

The Roodepoort Magistrates’ Court has sentenced Mluleki Zicina(59) to life imprisonment for the repeated rape of a 14-year-old girl in 2019. The heinous crimes took place at Dobsonville, where Zicina, who is the step-grandfather to the victim, exploited his relationship with the victim’s grandmother. The incident came to light when the grandmother found the accused on top of the 14-year-old victim, busy raping her.

The case was reported at the Dobsonville Police Station, leading to Zicina’s arrest on 21 May 2019, where investigations led by Sergeant Mabungu revealed that the accused had repeatedly raped her, instructing her to remain silent and promising her money.

The state called the victim's grandmother, who testified that the child now suffers from severe emotional, physical, and psychological trauma. She struggles with challenges, including anxiety, aggression, low self-esteem, and poor academic performance. These impacts were highlighted during sentencing.

Regional Court Prosecutor Arnold Limekhaya emphasised the gravity of the offence, the vulnerability of rape victims, and the betrayal of trust by the accused, who abused his position of authority and the principle of Ubuntu. The prosecutor underscored the permanent scars inflicted on the victim and the broader societal outcry against such crimes, which deprive children of their constitutional rights to safety and freedom.

Magistrate Anneline Africa, in delivering the sentence, considered the extreme cruelty and manipulative nature of the accused’s actions, the degree of violence used, and the profound harm caused to the vulnerable and defenceless victim. The court noted Banda’s exploitation of the victim’s mother through alcohol and his pretence of being a trusted figure. All cases of sexual violence encroach on the rights to dignity and privacy of the victims as enshrined in our constitution, hence the NPA aggressively prosecutes these cases.

Issued by:

Phindi Mjonondwane

NPA Regional Spokesperson

Gauteng Division, Johannesburg