Triple life sentence for rapist landlord

Triple life sentence for rapist landlord

The Ntuzuma Regional Court has sentenced a 59-year-old man to three terms of life imprisonment for the three times he raped a child. The child who was 12 years old at the time, lived with her family in a room they rented on the man’s property. In February 2022, he raped the child on three different occasions when her mother sent him to get items from their shared space. The girl did not report the rapes to anyone; however, her school teacher noticed a change in her demeanour and asked her what was wrong. The girl then told her about what the man was doing. The girl’s parents were advised and the police were called in. The girl was taken to the Phoenix Thuthuzela Care Centre where she received medical and psycho-social assistance.

In court, the Regional Court Prosecutor, Lisa Abrahams led the testimonies of the girl and her mother and medical evidence. Abrahams also submitted a Victim Impact Statement compiled by the girl and facilitated by the Court Preparation Officer, Senziwe Mthethwa. In her statement, the girl said that the incidents have left her psychologically, emotionally, and mentally traumatised. Her performance in school has been affected. She said that the man had used a weapon to threaten her and the lives of her family if she reported him to anyone.

The three life sentences will run concurrently. Further, the court found him unsuitable to work with children and ordered that his name is entered into the National Register for Sexual Offenders.

The NPA welcomes the successful finalisation of this matter. It is our mandate to protect the most vulnerable in society, namely women and children. We commend the work done by the prosecution and the police in securing the conviction.

Issued by,

Natasha Ramkisson-Kara

NPA Regional Spokesperson

KZN Division

Enquiries:071 6700 229/ nramkisson@npa.gov.za