LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPIST UNCLE

21 JULY 2025

LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPIST UNCLE

The Vryheid Regional Court has sentenced a 29-year-old man to life imprisonment for the rape of his six-year-old niece in the KwaJojwana area of Paulpietersburg in August 2023. The complainant lived with her mother and brother in the same homestead with the accused, and the complainant and her brother would often go and watch TV in the accused’s room.

On the evening of 31 August 2023, the complainant and her brother were watching TV in the accused’s room, and their mother was in the room that she shared with the children. The accused instructed the complainant’s brother to go and practice the traditional music dance at a neighbouring homestead. Even though the boy was reluctant, as it was after sunset, the accused told him that the dance leader would reprimand him for not attending. The boy eventually obeyed, leaving the complainant alone with the accused.

The accused then grabbed the complainant, undressed her and himself, and raped her. Thereafter, he threatened to kill her if she told anyone about what had happened, showing her the knife he would use to kill her. The complainant went back to the room where her mother was sleeping, and being afraid, she did not disclose what had happened. The next day, when the complainant’s mother found out about the rape whilst bathing the complainant. The matter was reported to the police, and the accused was arrested.

In court, the Prosecutor Dibi Symington led the evidence of the complainant’s mother as the first report. The complainant and her brother also testified, and they did so through the services of an intermediary. In addition to the state’s case, Mrs. Symington handed in Victim Impact Statements facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Bhekithemba Hopewell Sithole and compiled by the complainant and her mother. The complainant’s mother said that the accused is her brother, and she expected him to protect the child. She further stated that the complainant was experiencing flashbacks due to the incident. In her statement, the complainant said that following the incident, she was bullied and laughed at by the other children.

The accused was sentenced to life imprisonment, and he was declared unfit to possess a firearm. The court also ordered that his name be listed in the National Register for Sex Offenders. This sentence underscores the seriousness with which the justice system views sexual offences. We remain resolute in our pursuit of justice for victims of child abuse. We commend the prosecution on making compelling arguments to ensure that the accused is sentenced to life imprisonment.

Issued by:

Natasha Ramkisson-Kara

NPA Regional Spokesperson KZN Division

0716700229