LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPING STEPDAUGHTER
The Ntuzuma Regional Court has sentenced a 25-year-old man, to life imprisonment for the rape of his stepdaughter in April 2021. The 15-year-old girl was at her maternal grandmother’s house when the man went there. He lied to the granny that the girl’s mother was sick in hospital and he needed the child to go with him. As he and the child were on their way, he led her to an isolated area and raped her. The child returned home and reported the incident to her uncle. The child was taken to the Phoenix Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC), where she received the necessary psycho-social services, counselling, and support. The man was immediately arrested.
In court, State Adv. Naushaad Harripersadh led the evidence of the child, her uncle (first report) and a medical doctor. Harripersadh also handed in a Victim Impact Statement compiled by the child and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer, Senziwe Mthethwa. In her statement, the child said that she has difficulty sleeping at night and is afraid of men. The man was sentenced accordingly, and the court deemed him unfit to possess a firearm. The court ruled that he was unsuitable to work with children and that his name must be included in the National Register of Sexual Offenders and the National Child Protection Register.
The National Prosecuting Authority welcomes this successful prosecution. It is our mandate to prosecute and get justice for all, especially those belonging to vulnerable groups. We hope that this sentence will deter like-minded individuals. We commend the work done by the Prosecution and SAPS.
