THE Maluti Regional Court has sentenced a man (46) to life imprisonment for the rape of his niece (4) during a traditional ceremony at their home in Maritseng Location, Maluti.

The perpetrator and victim do not share the surname.

On the night of November 22, the victim was sleeping in the uncle’s room and other people were in another room chanting as part of the ceremony.

In the early hours, the accused left them and went to his room where he raped the little girl. The victim was found crying by one of the ladies who was also an attendee of the ceremony. Upon being informed by the victim of what had transpired, the lady called other people. Police were summoned, and the uncle was arrested. Luxolo Tyali, the NPA Regional spokesperson Eastern Cape Division said that the district court prosecutor Yolisa Dube successfully opposed bail.

“During bail application, accused indicated that he would plead not guilty as he is not the one who raped the child but a sangoma from KwaBhaca. After the state received DNA results which were collected at the Matatiele Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC), the accused changed and tendered a plea of guilty,” said Tyali.

Tyali said the regional court prosecutor Lubabalo Msongelwa submitted during sentencing arguments that there are no substantial and compelling circumstances justifying deviation from a prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment.

Magistrate Nombuso Nqwenani agreed with the state and imposed life imprisonment. 

In welcoming the sentence, Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions Barry Madolo highlighted the importance of TCCs and their role collection of forensic evidence.