LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPIST
03 SEPTEMBER 2025
LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPIST
The Ingwavuma Regional Court sentenced a 27-year-old man to life imprisonment for the rape of an 85-year-old woman in the Emanguzi area between 15 and 16 December 2024. The complainant lived alone at her homestead. In the middle of the night of 15 December 2024, she noticed the accused inside her bedroom. He told her to remain quiet if she wanted to live and raped her on more than one occasion. The complainant managed to escape and ran to her neighbour’s house for assistance. However, she did not get any response there, and she was found unconscious in the morning. When she woke up, she told her neighbours about her ordeal, and she was taken to the hospital. Following the incident, the accused confessed to his siblings that he had raped the complainant and wanted to commit suicide. The police were contacted, and he was arrested.
In aggravation of sentence, Prosecutor Lungisile Bhengu handed in two Victim Impact Statements (VIS) which were compiled by the complainant and her daughter-in-law and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Mandisa Sikakane. In her VIS, the complainant said that while she may look fine, her heart is still bleeding. She said that her life completely changed after the incident, and she feels dead. Her daughter-in-law said that the complainant used to enjoy her freedom and independence, but she is now afraid to live alone. She said that the complainant is even fearful of her own male grandsons, thinking they will also abuse her. The accused was sentenced accordingly, and he was declared unfit to possess a firearm. The court also ordered that his name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.
The National Prosecuting Authority welcomes the life sentence handed down. Elderly persons are protected by legislation due to their vulnerability as they age, and ought to be able to live in a peaceful and safe environment. Cases such as this underscore the NPA’s commitment to ensuring that justice is served, particularly in cases involving crimes against the most vulnerable members of our society, our elderly.
Issued by:
Natasha Ramkisson-Kara
NPA Regional Spokesperson
KZN Division
0716700229