The Ntuzuma Regional Court has sentenced a 46-year-old man to life imprisonment for the rape of his stepdaughter between 2019 and 2022. The incidents took place in Inanda, north of Durban, and happened when the girl’s mother worked the night shift.
Regional spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said the accused threatened the girl, so she did not divulge what was happening to her.
“At some stage, the girl fell pregnant, and the accused took her to buy medication that caused her to suffer a miscarriage. The girl’s mother noticed that the girl showed signs of pregnancy and asked her what was going on. The girl then told her mother that she was being raped by the accused. The accused had also confessed his actions to someone known to him and this led to his arrest,” said Ms Ramkisson-Kara.
The girl was taken to the Phoenix Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC) for medical and psycho-social assistance. In court, the state represented by rosecutor, Senamile Mahlangu, led the testimonies of the girl and her mother, as well as the person to whom the accused had confessed.
The evidence of the J88 form and the testimony of the TCC doctor also formed part of the state’s case. In addition, Mr Mahlangu handed in a victim impact statement, compiled by the girl.
“In her statement, the girl said that the ordeal has left her confused, angry and upset. She said that the accused had robbed her of her childhood.
“As part of the sentence, the court ordered that the accused’s name be entered into the National Register of Sex Offenders,” said Ms Ramkisson-Kara.
