Traditional healer to spend life behind bars for kidnapping, raping girl
In court, regional court prosecutor, Nozipho Mthethwa led the testimonies of the girl and her mother. Mthethwa further led evidence of the police officer, who rescued the girl, and the evidence of a medical doctor, who examined her.
The Nkandla Regional Court sentenced a 32-year-old man, to life imprisonment for the rape of a 15-year-old girl in July 2022, in the Nkandla area.
He was further sentenced to five years imprisonment for her kidnapping and three months imprisonment for assaulting her.
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Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, the National Prosecuting Authority’s regional spokesperson, said, “Before the incident, the man’s uncle had advertised that his nephew (the accused) was a traditional healer and provided his cellphone number on air. The girl’s family heard the advertisement and called the man over to their home to perform a cleansing ceremony. The man went there and stayed with the family for a few days. He then advised them that he had invited his entire congregation to come over and pray, and asked the girl’s mother to go and buy food for all these people. The girl’s mother did so and when the man was alone with the girl.”
He kidnapped her, took her to Eshowe and then to the Emazambaneni area, where he held her captive and raped her on several occasions. He did not allow her to speak to anyone and when she tried to talk to a person in the area, he assaulted her.
Then a few days later, she went to a nearby shop, and someone there recognised her. This is because her family had reported her missing and placed her photo in a local newspaper as well as on social media. The police were called, and the man was arrested.
In court, regional court prosecutor, Nozipho Mthethwa led the testimonies of the girl and her mother. Mthethwa further led evidence of the police officer, who rescued the girl, and the evidence of a medical doctor, who examined her.
“The state also submitted a victim impact statement, compiled by the girl, and facilitated by court preparation officer, Amanda Pretty Nxumalo. In her statement, the girl indicated that she is sad when she sees the maidens going to the reed dance, as she cannot participate anymore. She further stated that she feels very ashamed and embarrassed by what happened to her and is now afraid of men as she still has flashbacks about the incident,” she added.
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The man was sentenced accordingly, and the court ordered that his name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
“The NPA welcomes the successful finalisation of this matter and is committed to pursuing justice for victims of crime. We appeal to members of the community to be the voices of the victims of crime and speak out on their behalf. We commend the work done by the prosecution and the police,” Ramkisson-Kara concluded.
