RAPIST FATHER GETS LIFE IMPRISONMENT

27 JUNE 2025

RAPIST FATHER GETS LIFE IMPRISONMENT


The Empangeni Regional Court has sentenced a 39-year-old man to life imprisonment for the rape (on diverse occasions) of his (then) 12-year-old biological daughter in December 2020 in the Ndabayakhe area.

The accused and the complainant’s mother were separated and did not live together. In December 2020, the complainant and her brother went to visit the accused at his home. He was married and had two other children. At night, the complainant slept on a bed while her brother slept on a sponge on the floor and the accused would go into the room and rape her. When she attempted to scream for help, he would close her mouth and continue to rape her. He threatened to kill her, her brother, and her mother if she reported him to anyone. The complainant returned home and eventually confided in her cousin, who then told the complainant’s mother. The matter was reported to the police, and the accused was arrested. The complainant was taken to the Thuthuzela Care Centre located at Ngwelezane for the necessary assistance.

In court, the prosecutor, Edwina Du Plessis handed in Victim Impact Statements compiled by the complainant and her mother, and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer, Seneliso Sibanda. In her statement, the complainant said that she used to be a happy person, however since the incident she has become grumpy, aggressive, and ill-tempered. She said that she always thought a father was meant to be loving and protective of his children and not abuse them. The complainant’s mother said the incident has affected their entire family, and described the accused’s actions as disgusting and evil.

In addition to the life sentence, the accused was declared unfit to possess a firearm, and the court ordered that his name is entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.

Curbing the scourge of gender-based violence and sexual offences is an organisational priority for the NPA. Together with our partners in the Justice Cluster, we are mandated to fight for justice on behalf of the victims of crime, moreover, the most vulnerable ones.

Issued by:

Natasha Ramkisson-Kara
NPA Regional Spokesperson
KZN Division
0716700229