Justice served: Life sentence for man who raped 13-year-old in KwaZulu-Natal
A 56-year-old man has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Vryheid Magistrates Court for the rape of a 13-year-old girl in the Hlobane area in December 2020.
The accused, who was known to the victim as her aunt’s boyfriend, was convicted after the court heard that he sexually assaulted her while she was staying at his home.
According to court documents, the complainant had gone to visit her aunt and remained at the house overnight. On the day of the incident, her aunt left for a meeting, and the accused went to work cutting trees in the forest, leaving the girl alone with the accused’s children. When the children left to visit another homestead, the accused returned and committed the assault.
The complainant reported the incident to her mother a few months later, after which they laid charges with the police. The accused was subsequently arrested and charged.
During proceedings, Prosecutor Ncumisa Ntanjana submitted a Victim Impact Statement (VIS) compiled by the complainant and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Bhekithemba Hopewell Sithole.
In the statement, the girl described the trauma she had suffered. She also explained how the assault affected her emotionally and academically.
“The incident had traumatised me and I still experience flashbacks,” the VIS read. She added that she had trusted the accused and considered him a father figure.
Following the conviction, the court imposed a life sentence on the accused. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm, and the court ordered that his name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.
In a statement, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said it welcomed the finalisation of the matter.
“Together with our partners in law enforcement, we will continue to fight for the rights and dignity of all children,” said Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, NPA Regional Spokesperson for KwaZulu-Natal.
The NPA emphasised that holding perpetrators accountable is crucial for both justice and the protection of vulnerable members of the community.