The Brakpan Regional Court sentenced Sabelo Chaliswayo (26) from the Mgongo informal settlement to life in prison on June 24.

He raped a minor in 2022 and the SAPS arrested him on February 3, 2022. He first appeared in court on February 7 of that year.

Chaliswayo pleaded not guilty on September 26, 2024, but was found guilty on April 29 of this year. The rape occurred in the informal settlement.

The teen victim was walking from her home to a store, and Chaliswayo, who lived a few houses away, called her over to buy him chips. She returned and told him the shop didn’t have the chips he wanted.

Chaliswayo then pulled her into his house, removed her clothes and raped her. She went home immediately afterwards, told her mother what had happened and identified Chaliswayo.

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They called the police, who arrested Chaliswayo and took the victim to the hospital for an exam and treatment.

The doctor who helped her gave expert testimony on her findings, saying her exam confirmed forced rape, which helped ensure Chaliswayo’s conviction.

The girl was 15 at the time and said in her victim statement that she no longer trusted men and was fearful whenever interacting with one.

The rape affected her education, and the now 18-year-old is still struggling to catch up to her peers. She moved away after the incident because Chaliswayo threatened to kill her if she spoke out about her assault.

She now lives with her grandmother in KwaZulu-Natal and is trying to complete her education.

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