Durban man sentenced to double life imprisonment for raping and trafficking 13-year-old girl
Complainant’s mother pleaded guilty
The court ordered that the man's name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders, and he was declared unfit to work with children.
Image: File
THE Durban Regional Court has sentenced a 32-year-old man to double life imprisonment for the rape and trafficking of a 13-year-old girl between December 2023 and February 2024 in the Durban area.
The accused was in a relationship with the complainant’s mother, and they made an arrangement that she would allow the accused to have sex with the complainant in return for money.
"On the first occasion, the complainant’s mother took the complainant to town under the pretence of buying Christmas clothes. There they met the accused, and the complainant was handed over to him. When the complainant asked her mother why she was being left with a stranger, her mother told her that the accused was her (complainant's) husband. The accused then took the complainant to a certain accommodation where he kept her overnight and raped her more than once," said Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, NPA Regional Spokesperson KZN Division.
"The following morning, the accused gave the complainant R340. Once the complainant reached home, she told her mother that the accused had raped her. The complainant’s mother told her that the accused was going to be her husband, and he was going to pay lobola.
"On another occasion, the complainant’s mother took her to the accused, and he raped her again. The complainant later confided in her neighbour who helped her to open a case. The accused was later arrested at the complainant's house. The complainant’s mother was also arrested. The complainant was taken to the Umlazi Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC) where she received medico-legal assistance."
In court, Prosecutor Sphindile Precious Ntombela, led the testimony of the complainant, and her neighbour, as well as the doctor who examined the complainant.
"The state also handed in Victim Impact Statements (VIS) compiled by the complainant and her aunt, and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Nondumiso Nyembe. In her statement, the complainant said she felt terrible and knew that she could never return to her former self. She also pleaded with the court to give the accused a harsh sentence.
"In her statement, the complainant’s aunt said the complainant's behaviour had changed following the incident, and she was now angry and rude to those around her. She is struggling at school and is unable to sleep at night. The accused was sentenced to life imprisonment for rape, and life imprisonment for human trafficking. Both sentences will run concurrently. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm."
Ramkisson-Kara said the court ordered that his name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders, and he was declared unfit to work with children.
"The complainant’s mother pleaded guilty and was sentenced accordingly. The NPA welcomes the successful finalisation of this matter. Our fight against the scourge of sexual violence has been aided by the expansion of the TCC footprint across the country, which has grown from 55 TCCs in 2020/2021 to 66 TCCs at present. These centres provide comprehensive services and support to victims of sexual violence."