THE National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in KZN has welcomed the sentence of life imprisonment and an additional seven years’ imprisonment handed down by the Port Shepstone Regional Court against a suspect (28) following his conviction on charges of rape and kidnapping.
The offences were committed in August 2021, on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast. The court heard that during the early hours of August 29, 2021, a woman who was alone at home was accosted by the suspect, armed with a sickle.
The woman was raped repeatedly.
After the incident was reported to the police, the woman was subsequently taken to the Port Shepstone Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC) where she received medical treatment and psychosocial support.
Approximately one month later, the complainant saw the suspect attending a traditional ceremony in the area and immediately alerted the police.
He was arrested and during trial, Prosecutor Chad Davey presented evidence relating to a photo identification parade during which the complainant positively identified the suspect.
Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, the NPA regional spokesperson for the KwaZulu-Natal division, said that the state submitted a Victim Impact Statement (VIS) compiled by the complainant and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Beaufort Shinga.
“In the statement, the complainant described the emotional and psychological impact of the offences, stating that the incident left her feeling humiliated, degraded and fearful. She further stated that the accused had taken away her happiness and pride,” she explained.
The suspect was sentenced to life imprisonment for rape and seven years’ imprisonment for kidnapping.
The court further declared him unfit to possess a firearm and ordered that his name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.
“The NPA remains steadfast in its commitment to combating sexual and gender-based violence. This effort continues to be strengthened through the expansion of the Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC) network across the country, which has grown from 55 centres in 2020/2021 to 66 centres currently operational nationwide,” Ramkisson-Kara added. She further explained that the centres provide integrated medical, legal and psychosocial services to victims of sexual offences and play a critical role in supporting survivors and strengthening prosecutions.
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