LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPIST UNCLE
The Madadeni Regional Court sentenced a 53-year-old man to life imprisonment for the rape of his niece between 2019 and 2020. The girl who was 11 years old at the time, lived with her maternal family (aunt, uncles and cousins) after being abandoned by her parents. Her aunt would occasionally visit Gauteng, leaving the girl at home with the rest of the family. It was during these times that the uncle raped her. At some stage, their neighbour noticed that the girl was putting on weight and brought this to the aunt’s attention. The girl was approached and she revealed what her uncle was doing. She was taken to the Madadeni Thuthuzela Care Centre where the doctor confirmed that she was heavily pregnant. She also received the necessary psycho-social services, counselling and support at the facility.
The police were alerted and the uncle was arrested. A paternity test done following the birth of child, confirmed that the uncle was the father. In court, Regional Court Prosecutor Simphiwe Hlela led the evidence of the medical and forensic reports. Hlela also led the testimony of the girl. She told the court that she had placed her trust in her uncle and he betrayed her. She also said that she is so young and now she has to be saddled with the responsibility of caring for another child.
As part of the sentencing, the court deemed him unfit to possess a firearm and an order was made that his name is entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.
The National Prosecuting Authority welcomes this sentence as it affirms our stance on the abuse of children. We commend the efforts of the prosecution and the police.
