Man sentenced to life in prison for raping his stepdaughter

A 46-year-old man was sentenced to life in prison for raping his stepdaughter from 2019 to 2022.

KZN National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said the case took place at the Ntuzuma Regional Court and the incidents occurred in Inanda when the girl’s mother was working the night shift.

The defendant threatened the girl so that she would not reveal what was happening to her. At some point, the girl became pregnant and the accused took her to buy medicine which caused her to miscarry. The girl’s mother noticed that the girl was showing signs of pregnancy and asked her what was wrong.

“The girl then told her mother that she was raped by the accused. The defendant had also confessed his crimes to a person he knew, which led to his arrest.

“The girl was taken to the Phoenix Thuthuzela Care Center (TCC) for medical and psychosocial care,” Ramkisson-Kara said.

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In court, Ramkisson-Kara said the state, represented by prosecutor Senamile Mahlangu, conducted the statements of the girl and her mother as well as the person to whom the accused confessed.

The J88 form evidence and the TCC doctor’s testimony were also part of the State’s case. Mahlangu also submitted a victim impact statement compiled by the girl and supported by Court Preparation Officer Princess Mlangeni. In her statement, the girl said the ordeal left her confused, angry and upset.

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“She said the defendant robbed her of her childhood. As part of the sentence, the court ordered the defendant’s name to be entered into the National Sex Offenders Register,” Ramkisson-Kara said.