A 53-year-old rapist has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Eshowe Regional Court for raping his 14-year-old daughter in October, 2020.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) KZN regional spokesperson, Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said the crime, committed in the Njomelwane area, took place during the disruptions of the Covid-19 pandemic.
On the day of the incident, the father and daughter were alone at home. He asked her to prepare a meal and later summoned her to his bedroom, where he raped her. Before leaving, he warned her not to tell anyone.
“The complainant then wrote a letter about what her father had done and dropped the letter off at the Induna’s homestead. She went to her friend's house thereafter.
“The Induna then informed the complainant’s family about the contents of the letter and the matter was reported to the police. Even though the accused fled the area, he was arrested a month later,” said Ramkisson-Kara.
During the trial, Prosecutor Kacey Pillay presented a Victim Impact Statement (VIS) from the teenager, facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Amanda Pretty Nxumalo.
In the statement, the survivor expressed the lasting harm caused by the rape, saying she could not understand how her father could betray her in such a way.
The court sentenced the man to life imprisonment and declared him unfit to own a firearm. His name will also be added to the National Register for Sex Offenders.
“The NPA hopes that sentences of this nature indicate our commitment to the fight against sexual abuse and gender-based violence,” added Ramkisson-Kara.
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