Double life sentences for trusted ‘sweet uncle’ who raped, killed girl (9)

AN UMKOMAAS man who sold sweets to children outside a local school, has been sentenced for the rape and murder of Lusanda Nkomo, 9, whose naked, battered and bruised body was found by a local herdsman in a bush, a day after she had gone missing.

Rogers Perumah, 57, formerly from Phoenix, appeared in the Pietermaritzburg High Court last week where he was sentenced to two terms of life imprisonment.

His application for leave to appeal against both convictions and sentences was refused.

Lusanda, who lived on the same road as Perumah, disappeared on March 17, 2024. 

At the time it was reported that Perumah’s pet dog had gone missing on the same day and he had gone in search of it in the neighbourhood.

Lusanda, who was fond of the dog, went with him in search of the dog. 

“When they got to a bushy area, Perumah raped the child. He then assaulted her all over her body and strangled her before fleeing the scene. He was arrested the next day by community members, following the discovery of the child’s body,” said Natasha Kara-Ramkissoon, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

Lusanda’s body was found on March 18, 2024.

At the time, her distraught mother, Nokulunga Nkomo, said Lusanda and her older sister had returned home from church and were busy with chores, when the Perumah called for Lusanda and asked her to go to the shop to buy airtime for him.

“When she returned from the shop, he had asked her to go with him to find his dog that had escaped from his yard. The dog always runs off and at the time she did not find his request suspicious or out of the ordinary. He was the Indian uncle we all trusted.

“Lusanda was severely assaulted. Her face was badly damaged, especially her eyes. Her face looked like it had been bludgeoned. My baby was found naked. Her dress was used to cover her face,” Nkomo said.

Advocate Mziwodumo Miza led the evidence of witnesses, who saw Perumah walking with Lusanda towards the direction where her body was found. 

Miza also led DNA evidence linking Perumah to the DNA material found on the child. 

Nkomo said in her victim impact statement, that she has difficulty sleeping and has lost trust in people. She said Lusanda was her everything, and described her as a bubbly and energetic child.

The court ordered that Perumah’s name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders. 

Kara-Ramkissoon said the NPA welcomed the court's imposition of double life sentences.

“This sentence underscores the seriousness with which the justice system treats crimes against the most vulnerable members of our society. The NPA remains resolute in its pursuit of justice for victims of gender-based violence and child abuse and will continue to ensure that perpetrators of such heinous crimes are removed from society and face the harshest possible consequences. Justice has been served, and the rights and dignity of our children protected,” she added.

Local ward councillor, Jane Naidoo, said the community was pleased that justice for Luyanda had been served.

“The community of Umkomaas, scarred by the horrific and brutal murder of Lusanda, feels vindicated and welcomes the double life sentencing. 

“However, our justice system and laws require an overhaul to stem the permeation of  social ills and violent and ruthless crimes against women, children, and the elderly. In an ideal society, atrocities of this nature should be metered out capital punishment. There must be more advocacy and campaigns from civil society and political formations in government. The innocent and vulnerable have a right to be  protected in this country. And to protect them we must,” she added.

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