The Nelspruit Regional Court sentenced a 22-year-old Mozambican to life imprisonment on September 18. The man, who resided in Msholozi, was convicted of raping a four-year-old girl

According to the provincial spokesperson of the National Prosecuting Authority, Monica Nyuswa, the accused’s name has been withheld to protect the victim’s identity.

He was convicted of rape and contravening the Immigration Act, following an incident that occurred on July 18, 2022 in Msholozi, near White River.

“The victim’s father sent her to the accused’s house to find his brother, where she found the accused alone. He lured her into his bedroom, undressed her, and raped her. The incident surfaced when the victim’s mother inquired about her whereabouts. The child emerged crying, reporting pain in genitals and identifying the accused as the perpetrator,” Nyuswa said.

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According to her, the mother also noticed dishevelled clothing and semen on the child’s thighs. When confronted, the accused denied the allegations and fled while neighbours gathered.

The victim was taken to Rob Ferreira Thuthuzela Care Centre for medical examination and support. Once a police case was opened, the accused was arrested and bail was denied. In court, he pleaded not guilty, alleging the victim’s father fabricated the claims out of spite.

State Prosecutor Zamo Mathebula presented credible testimony from the victim, supported by intermediary services, police reports, DNA analysis, and a J88 medical report confirming injuries. The court rejected the accused’s defence as unbelievable.

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In aggravation of sentencing, Mathebula argued that rape is a heinous crime that destroys victims’ physical and mental integrity, and agued for a mandatory life sentence.

Magistrate Vanessa Joubert sentenced the convict to life imprisonment for rape and two years for contravention of the Immigration Act. The court additionally declared him unfit to possess a firearm, unsuitable to work with children, and ordered his name entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.