NEIGHBOR SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPE OF A MINOR

29 July 2025

NEIGHBOR SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPE OF A MINOR

Boschfontein, Mpumalanga – The Boschfontein Regional Court has convicted and sentenced Lazarus Manzini (46) to life imprisonment for raping a 9-year-old girl. The victim was living with her grandmother in Boschfontein at the time of the incident.

On 5 November 2021, the victim was walking home from playing with friends when she encountered Manzini. He deceived her by claiming her grandmother had gone to a nearby butchery to buy meat. Unable to find her grandmother there, she returned home, where Manzini grabbed her, dragged her to his house, and raped her. He then threatened her not to tell anyone. The following day, while playing with friends, another neighbour noticed the victim struggling to walk and appearing distressed. Upon inspection, the neighbour found her bleeding and, after questioning, learned of the rape, identifying Manzini as the perpetrator. The grandmother was informed, and the victim was taken to Tonga Thuthuzela Care Centre for medical examination and psychosocial support. The police were notified, leading to Manzini’s arrest.

In court, Manzini pleaded not guilty and denied the allegations. However, State Prosecutor Joshua Sibeko presented compelling evidence, including the victim’s testimony (facilitated through intermediary services to minimise trauma), as well as testimonies from the grandmother and neighbour. A J88 medical report confirmed the injuries. The court found the state’s witnesses credible and dismissed Manzini’s defence as implausible.

In aggravation, Prosecutor Sibeko argued that Manzini, as a neighbour, was expected to protect the victim, not violate her, and urged the court to impose the prescribed life sentence. He submitted a Victim Impact Statement, facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Lizzy Mhlongo, which detailed the victim’s psychological trauma, enduring fear, and declining school performance. The court, finding no substantial or compelling circumstances to deviate, sentenced Manzini to life imprisonment, declared him unfit to possess a firearm, and ordered his name added to the National Register for Sex Offenders.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes this sentence, reaffirming its dedication to justice for gender-based violence (GBV) victims and building safer communities. This ruling sends a clear message that sexual violence against children will face the full force of the law, and the NPA remains resolute in its pursuit of justice. Ends

Issued by:

Monica Nyuswa

NPA Regional Spokesperson

DPP Mpumalanga

Tel: 013 045 0625 / 076 485 5446

Email: mnyuswa@npa.gov.za