LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPE OF SCHOOLGIRL

05 NOVEMBER 2025

LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPE OF SCHOOLGIRL

The Vryheid Regional Court has sentenced a 36-year-old man to life imprisonment for the offence of rape he committed in July 2021 in Paul Pietersburg. The complainant, who was in matric at the time of the offence, was walking home from school when she noticed the accused following her. He accosted her and pulled her into some bushes where he raped her at knife point. Since she knew the accused, she reported the matter as soon as she got home. The complainant was taken to a nearby hospital, and the accused was arrested two days later when the complainant pointed him out to the police.

In court, the defense did not dispute the DNA evidence or the photo album and the contents of the J88. The accused went on to make Section 220 admissions, admitting to all the elements of the offence. He was thus convicted accordingly.

In aggravation of the sentence, Prosecutor Kwazikwakhe Sibiya, told the court that the complainant has been traumatised by the incident. As a result, she has performed poorly at school and has flashbacks of the incident. The accused was sentenced to life imprisonment with the court declaring him unfit to possess a firearm. The court ordered that his name is entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders. The NPA remains committed to the fight against sexual offences.

Issued by:

Natasha Ramkisson-Kara

NPA Regional Spokesperson

KZN Division

0716700229