Scottburgh Regional Court sentences man to life for rape of 11-year-old boy

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the sentence of life imprisonment imposed by the Scottburgh Regional Court on a 38-year-old man for the rape of a minor boy on diverse occasions.

The offences were committed in the Mkhomazi area between 2023 and 2024, when the complainant was 11-years-old.

The complainant and the accused were known to each other, as they lived in the same community and the complainant was friends with the accused’s son.

Evidence presented before the court revealed that the accused raped the complainant on three separate occasions during the period between 2023 and 2024.

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After each incident, the accused threatened the complainant and warned him not to disclose the abuse to anyone. The offences came to light during the third incident when another child witnessed the rape and reported it to the complainant’s mother.

When confronted by his mother, the complainant disclosed the abuse he had endured. The matter was subsequently reported to the police, leading to the arrest of the accused.

The complainant was also taken to a nearby hospital for medical examination. During the trial, Prosecutor Lindokuhle Gumede led the evidence of the complainant, his mother, and the eyewitness who observed the third incident.

The medical doctor who examined the complainant also testified for the State. In addition, the prosecution submitted victim impact statements (VIS) prepared by the complainant and his mother, with assistance from court preparation officer, Nokukhanya Mkhize.

In their statements, both the complainant and his mother described the devastating impact that the offences have had on their lives.

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The complainant’s mother informed the court that, since the incidents, the complainant has become withdrawn and isolated, while his academic performance has deteriorated significantly.

Prosecutor, Thanusha Govender handled the matter during the sentencing proceedings. Regional spokesperson of the National Prosecuting Authority, Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, said, “After considering all the evidence and aggravating factors, the court sentenced the accused to life imprisonment. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm, and the court ordered that his name be entered into both the National Register for Sex Offenders and the Child Protection Register. The NPA trusts that sentences of this nature will serve as a strong deterrent to like-minded offenders. The accused abused a position of trust as an adult known to the complainant and exploited the vulnerability of a child. Children are among the most vulnerable members of society and deserve the highest level of protection from all forms of abuse and exploitation.”