Ezakheni court hands life sentences to rapists of 17-year-old girl
Two men, aged 22 and 25, have been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Ezakheni Regional Court for the rape of a 17-year-old girl.
The assault involved pointing a firearm at the victim and forcing her to wash in a river afterwards. A third perpetrator, who was a minor at the time of the offence, received a 15-year prison sentence.
“In sentencing him, the court considered this, noting that the provisions of Section 51 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 105 of 1997 (minimum sentence) were not applicable. The court relied on its inherent jurisdiction and sentenced the accused to 15 years imprisonment,” National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in KwaZulu-Natal, Natasha Ramkisson-Kara explained.
The incident occurred on the evening of April 21, 2024, when the victim was walking home. She noticed three men following her and tried to avoid them by changing direction, but they pursued her and caught up. She recognised the 25-year-old perpetrator, as he had previously made romantic advances toward her.
The trio held the victim at gunpoint, initially demanding money and a cellphone. When she stated she had no valuables, they claimed she “should be punished”.
They then led her to a secluded area near a river, raped her, and instructed her to wash in the river before they fled the scene.
The victim sought help at a nearby house belonging to a schoolmate and reported the crime. She was subsequently taken to the hospital for medical attention.
The first accused was arrested after the complainant later spotted him at a shopping mall. The remaining two were then apprehended and positively identified by the complainant, Ramkisson-Kara stated.
In aggravation of sentence, prosecutor Snethemba Hlongwane presented a victim impact statement that detailed the profound psychological consequences of the attack, including social withdrawal, fear, and difficulty interacting with men.
In addition to the custodial sentences, the court declared all three men unfit to possess firearms and ordered their names to be included in the National Register for Sex Offenders.
The NPA welcomed the successful conclusion of the case, with Ramkisson-Kara stating: “The eradication of crime, particularly gender-based violence, remains a key priority. It is hoped that the sentences imposed will serve as a deterrent to would-be offenders.”
