On Monday March 11 the Nquthu Regional Court sentenced a 45-year-old man to a term of life and 12 months imprisonment for the rape (on multiple occasions), and sexual assault of his niece.
Regional spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said the incidents had taken place in the Mondlo area, in KwaZulu-Natal, and began when the girl was 11 years old.
“The man raped her on different occasions and always threatened to kill her if she told anyone. He also sexually assaulted her,” said Ms Ramkisson-Kara.
“The matter eventually came to light when some family members became suspicious about the amount of time he was spending with the girl, and they approached him. While he denied any allegations, the girl confessed to what had been happening and he was eventually arrested.”
In court, prosecutor Nkosingiphile Sithole led the evidence of the girl and her siblings; as well as medical evidence from the J88 form.
Mr Sithole also handed in a Victim Impact Statement (VIS) compiled by the girl. Ms Ramkisson-Kara said in the girl’s statement she said that she felt betrayed as her uncle, whom she respected, betrayed her trust and had taken advantage of her. She added that her performance at school had deteriorated and that she felt embarrassed about what had happened and had contemplated suicide.
“The man was sentenced to life imprisonment for rape and 12 months imprisonment for sexual assault; and the court declared him unsuitable to work with children. The court ordered that his name be added into the National Register for Sex Offenders, and he was found unfit to possess a firearm,” said Ms Ramkisson-Kara.
