DIRECT IMPRISONMENT FOR A RAPIST

The Scottburgh Regional Court has sentenced a 37-year-old man to 15 years' direct imprisonment for the May 2024 rape of an adult woman. The accused was charged with rape in terms of Section 51(2), Part 2 of Schedule 2 of Act 105 of 1997, which carries the prescribed minimum sentence of 15 years' imprisonment. In sentencing him, the court found no substantial and compelling reasons to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence, and the accused was thus sentenced to 15 years' direct imprisonment.

The offence occurred in the Braemer area on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast. The complainant and the accused were known to each other.

Evidence before the court revealed that on the day of the incident, the complainant was on her way to a tuck-shop in the area when she met the accused. He approached her and asked if he could accompany her; however, she refused. The accused followed her and eventually pulled her into some bushes and raped her. The complainant’s screams were heard by some children playing nearby. The children went to where the accused and the complainant were, and the complainant told them to go and inform the elders of what was happening. The accused then fled the scene, leaving his pants and hat behind.

The children notified other community members and the complainant’s boyfriend, who rushed to the scene. The complainant informed them that the accused had raped her. She was taken to a hospital for medical assistance, and a case was registered with the police. The accused was arrested after the complainant pointed him out.  

In court, Prosecutor Thanusha Govender led the testimonies of the complainant, as well as the community members who had found the complainant at the scene. The medical doctor who examined the complainant at the hospital also testified for the state. Ms Govender handed in a Victim Impact Statement compiled by the complainant and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer, Nokukhanya Mkhize. In her statement, the complainant said that she has flashbacks of the incident and lives in fear. She said that she feels helpless following the incident.

In addition to the sentence of 15 years' direct imprisonment, the accused was declared unfit to possess a firearm, and the court ordered that his name be entered into the National Register for sex offenders.

Curbing the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide remains an organisational priority for the NPA. Together with our partners in the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster, we will continue to ensure that perpetrators of these offences are held accountable.

Issued by:

Natasha Ramkisson-Kara

NPA Regional Spokesperson

KZN Division