Man sentenced to life imprisonment for raping minor in KwaDabeka
A man was sentenced to life imprisonment for the rape of a minor from February 2023 to January 2024
Image: UNSPLASH FREE DOWNLOADS
A 46-year-old man was sentenced at the Pinetown Regional Court to life imprisonment for the rape (on more than one occasion) of a 14-year-old girl in the KwaDabeka area, north west of Durban.
Regional spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority, Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, said 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,” said Ms Ramkisson-Kara.
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 advancing of the state’s case, Mr 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,” said Ms Ramkisson-Kara.
“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.”
Ms Ramkisson-Kara said the NPA remains committed to fighting the scourge of gender-based violence, and hopes that sentences of this nature demonstrate their commitment.