LIFE AND 8 YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPE AND ROBBERY OF ELDERLY WOMAN
27 JUNE 2025
LIFE AND 8 YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPE AND ROBBERY OF ELDERLY WOMAN
The Melmoth Regional Court has sentenced a 39-year-old man to life and eight years imprisonment for the rape and robbery of an 80-year-old woman in March 2023. The man and the woman were related to each other.
In the early hours of 13 March 2023, the complainant was asleep in her house when she heard banging on the door. The accused accosted her before she could get out of bed, and he began hitting her with clenched fists. She sustained serious injuries and bled profusely. When she tried to scream, he pressed her down and strangled her and then proceeded to rape her. The accused then fled the scene taking R400 belonging to her.
The complainant’s son heard her screams and found her injured and bleeding. She was taken to a nearby hospital where DNA swabs were taken. The medical examination also revealed that during the attack she had broken a finger and lost hearing in her one ear.
When the complainant returned home, she found an unfamiliar woolen hat in the house. She was visited by her relatives and neighbours and one of the visitors was the accused’s mother. The accused’s mother noticed that the woolen hat looked like something her son owned. When she went home, she asked the accused the whereabouts of his woolen hat and he was unable to answer her.
The accused’s mother then went to the local Induna and related the story to him. He also asked the accused about his woolen hat. The accused was unable explain where his hat was but denied raping the complainant. The police were called, and buccal swabs were taken from the accused to compare to the DNA found on the complainant’s body. The DNA results came back positive, linking him to the rape.
During the trial, the prosecutor, Russell Mngoma led the testimonies of the complainant, the accused’s mother, and the Induna. The positive DNA results also formed part of the state’s case. Mr. Mngoma also handed in a Victim Impact Statement compiled by the complainant and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer, Amanda Nxumalo. In her statement, the woman said that due to the injuries she sustained during the attack, she is unable to use her right hand and has lost her hearing in one ear. She also said that she has nightmares about the incident. Ever since the incident, she is embarrassed to look at the members of her church where she is a prominent member, she added.
The accused was sentenced to life imprisonment for the rape, eight years imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances, and was declared unfit to possess a firearm.
The National Prosecuting Authority welcomes the sentences handed down. Elderly persons are protected by legislation due to their vulnerability, and they ought to be able to live in a peaceful and safe environment. Cases such as this underscore the NPA’s commitment to ensuring that justice is served, particularly in cases involving crimes against the most vulnerable members of our society, the elderly.
Issued by:
Natasha Ramkisson-Kara
NPA Regional Spokesperson
KZN Division
0716700229