LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPE OF MINOR

07 MAY 2025

LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPE OF MINOR

The Pinetown Regional Court has sentenced a 46-year-old man to life imprisonment for the rape (on more than one occasion) of a 14-year-old girl in the KwaDabeka area. The incidents occurred between February 2023 and January 2024, and the accused knew the complainant as he rented on her grandmother’s property. The accused would rape the complainant when he called her to his room to assist with chores. The matter eventually came to light after the granny noticed a change in the complainant’s behaviour. She asked the complainant what was wrong and was told about what the accused was doing. The granny, together with the other tenants, confronted the accused, and he was arrested. The complainant was taken to the Chatsworth Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC) for the necessary assistance.

In court, Prosecutor Lethuxolo Nene led the testimony of the complainant as well as her granny, who was the first reporter. The doctor who examined the complainant also testified about her injuries. In furtherance of the state’s case, Nene handed in a Victim Impact Statement compiled by the complainant and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Bonisile Mngoma. In her statement, the complainant said she feels like she was robbed of her childhood. Also, she has had to relocate to another area as she no longer feels safe in her area. The complainant further said that she was ridiculed and teased about what had happened to her. The accused was sentenced to life imprisonment for rape and was declared unfit to possess a firearm. In addition, the court deemed him unfit to work with children and ordered that his name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.

The NPA remains committed to fighting the scourge of gender-based violence, and we hope that sentences of this nature demonstrate our commitment.

Natasha Ramkisson-Kara
NPA Regional Spokesperson
KZN Division
0716700229