The 50-year-old man was convicted of rape, which took place in Mahlabathini. The child was left with her father after her mother abandoned her.
The court heard the girl was then taken to live with her father’s family. During these times he would come home at night, at times intoxicated and demand the child sleep with him. He would rape her during the night and in the morning.
The court heard the father threatened to kill the child should she tell anyone what was going on. However, the details of the incident came to light when the girl was playing out sexual acts while playing with other children.
When the child’s caregiver asked her about the act, she said her father had done those things to her. The matter was reported to the police and the father was arrested.
State Prosecutor Baldwin Mtshali led the statement of the caregiver, as well as the testimony of the girl’s classmate who had seen blood on her underwear as well as the evidence of the medical doctor before the court. The doctor testified the injuries suffered by the girl were consistent with her version of events.
In the victim impact statement compiled by the Court Preparation Officer, the child expressed she has lost all respect for her father. She also has to take medication for complications arising from her rape.
The court sentenced the father to life imprisonment for the rape and declared him unfit to possess a firearm.
The court also ordered that his name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders, and he is not allowed to work with children. In a further court order, it was ordered that the victim or her family would be invited to make representations at the stage when the accused becomes eligible for parole.
The provincial spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said it hopes that sentences of this nature indicate our commitment to the fight against sexual abuse and gender-based violence.
“These sentences provide justice and closure to the victims and their families but also remove violent criminals from our streets,” Ramkisson-Kara said.
