JUSTICE PREVAIL AS THE ACCUSED IS SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR THE RAPE OF A MINOR
The Nelspruit Regional Court has convicted and sentenced Richard Khensile Ndlovu (31), from Jerusalem Trust, in Masoyi, to life imprisonment for raping a minor girl aged (13).On 18 June 2017, the victim was at her parental home at Jerusalem Trust, when her mother sent her to collect a water container at the tap near the accused’s homestead.
The girl went, and as she was about to pick up the container, the accused emerged and grabbed her, then dragged her inside his room and locked the door. The victim cried and the accused started touching her breast, undressing her and raping her. He then unlocked the door and release her. The victim ran away to her neighbours and informed them about the rape ordeal. The matter was reported to her parents, who alerted the police.
In court, the accused pleaded not guilty and denied the allegations levelled against him. State prosecutor John Mahlwele led evidence of the victim and that of the neighbour to whom she reported the rape incident. This was supported by the evidence of the victim’s mother and a forensic nurse to prove the case.
During the sentencing proceeding, the state handed in a victim impact statement compiled by the victim and facilitated by the Court Preparation Officer Zodwa Lekhuleni. In her statement, she informed the court that she no longer trusts any men and that the rape ordeal affected her psychologically, and physically, and left her with emotional scars. In aggravation of the sentence prosecutor, Mahlwele argued the court to impose a sentence of life imprisonment. The Magistrate agreed with the state and sentenced Ndlovu to life imprisonment.
The National Prosecuting Authority welcomes the successful finalization of the matter. We hope that this sentence will go a long way in addressing the scourge of gender–based violence.