A 37-year-old man from KwaZulu-Natal has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for raping a woman in the Braemer area on the south coast. The sentence was handed down at the Scottburgh Regional Court after the man was convicted of rape on Tuesday. According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the accused and the woman were known to each other. The incident occurred in May 2024.
The court heard that the woman was walking to a tuck-shop when she encountered the accused, who asked to accompany her. She refused, but the man followed her and allegedly pulled her into the bushes, where he raped her. The woman's screams were heard by children playing nearby, who went to inform the elders. The accused then fled the scene, leaving behind his pants and hat.
Community members and the woman's boyfriend rushed to the scene after being alerted. The woman told them she had been raped and was taken to hospital for medical treatment. The accused was later arrested after the woman identified him. The NPA said prosecutor Thanusha Govender led evidence from the woman, community members, and the doctor who examined her.
The woman also submitted a victim impact statement, facilitated by court preparation officer Nokukhanya Mkhize. In the statement, she said she has flashbacks of the incident and lives in fear, feeling helpless. The NPA said the court found no substantial and compelling circumstances to justify deviating from the prescribed minimum sentence of 15 years.
In addition to the prison sentence, the man was declared unfit to possess a firearm and ordered to be registered on the National Register for Sex Offenders. The NPA said combating gender-based violence and femicide remained a priority, and they would continue to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable.
National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said the incident was a serious crime, and the sentence sends a strong message to perpetrators. The NPA worked with partners in the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster to secure the conviction.
The case highlights the ongoing efforts to combat gender-based violence and femicide in South Africa. The NPA and other stakeholders continue to work together to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice and that victims receive the support they need.
Key points
- The accused was sentenced to 15 years in prison for raping a woman in the Braemer area on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast.
- The court found no substantial and compelling circumstances to justify deviating from the prescribed minimum sentence of 15 years.
- The accused was also declared unfit to possess a firearm and ordered to be registered on the National Register for Sex Offenders.
