Johannesburg,South Africa

A 31-year old young man was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Madadeni Regional Court in KwaZulu-Natal for raping a 14-year old girl in April 2021 in the Osizweni Area and she was pregnant at the time of an incident.

According to NPA, the girl was returning from her boyfriend's house when she boarded a metered taxi driven by the man. Her boyfriend knew the man and entrusted him to take her safely home.

NPA added that however, en route, the man pretended to look for a petrol station and eventually took the girl to a secluded spot, where he raped her. He then gave her water to wash so that there would be no traces of his DNA. The girl immediately reported the incident to her boyfriend, who informed some community members, and the man apprehended.

NPA continued to say that the girl was taken to the Madadeni Thuthuzela Care Centre, where she received the necessary pyscho-social services, counselling, and support. She subsequently suffered a miscarriage.

The NPA mentioned that in court, the man denied the allegations, saying that the girl had gotten off his taxi and taken another. However, in proving the state's case, Regional Court Prosecutor Simphiwe Scelo Hlela, led the evidence of the complainant, the first report(her boyfriend),and the doctor who had examined her.

The NPA was pleased by the sentencing of the rapist because that helped to minimise to gender-based violence.

"The National Prosecuting Authority welcomes the successful finalisation of this matter, as it affirms our commitment to curbing the scourge of gender-based violence. We commend the work done by the Prosecution and SAPS,"said Natasha Ramkisson-Kara,NPA Regional Spokesperson.