STEPFATHER SENTENCED TO LIFE FOR RAPE OF HIS STEPDAUGHTER
The Secunda Regional Court convicted and sentenced a fifty-two-year-old man from Embalenhle to life imprisonment for repeatedly raping his twelve-year-old stepdaughter. The accused and the victim’s guardian were in a love relationship and residing together as a family in Embalenhle. During the period between 2020- 2021 the accused would wait for the victim’s guardian to leave for work and rape the victim.
This happened until 2021, the victim had a stomachache at school and informed her teacher who released her to go home however the victim refused to go home and indicated that she is afraid of being raped by her stepfather when she arrives home. The teacher reported the matter to the victim’s guardian and the police were alerted.
In court, the accused pleaded not guilty and maintained his innocence. Regional Court Prosecutor Grace Khoza led evidence of a teacher, victim, and guardian. The evidence was supported by the J88 medical report which confirmed that the victim was penetrated including the evidence of a forensic nurse. The court found the evidence of the state witnesses reliable and credible. Prosecutor Khoza handed in the victim impact statement compiled by Court Preparation Officers Nozipho Nkosi and Popo Moloi. In that statement, the victim authored that the rape ordeal left her traumatised and is now living in fear.
The state addressed the court about the prevalence of gender-based violence cases in the jurisdiction of Secunda. Prosecutor Khoza further addressed the court that the accused was a stepfather to the victim who was supposed to love and protect her instead he destroyed the level of trust and sexually violated her arguing for the court to impose a suitable sentence. The court found no substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence of life.
The National Prosecuting Authority welcomes the conviction and sentence, this affirms our commitment to curbing the scourge of gender-based violence.
