The Madadeni Regional Court in Newcastle has sentenced a 53-year-old man to life imprisonment for the rape of his niece between 2019 and 2020.

The girl, who was 11 at the time, later fell pregnant and a paternity test showed that the child was the uncle’s.

Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, the NPA regional spokesperson for the KZN Division, says the girl lived with her maternal family (aunt, uncles, and cousins) after being abandoned by her parents.

“Her aunt would occasionally visit Gauteng, leaving the girl at home with the rest of the family. It was during these times that the uncle raped her. At some stage, their neighbour noticed that the girl was putting on weight and brought this to the aunt’s attention. The girl was approached, and she revealed what her uncle was doing,” explains Ramkisson-Kara.

She was taken to the Madadeni Thuthuzela Care Centre where the doctor confirmed that she was pregnant. She also received the necessary psychosocial services, counselling, and support while at the facility.

The police were alerted and the uncle was immediately arrested.

In court, regional court prosecutor Simphiwe Hlela led the evidence of the medical and forensic reports, as well as the girl’s testimony. She told the court that she had placed her trust in her uncle, and he betrayed her. She also stated that she was still so young, and now she had to be saddled with the responsibility of caring for another child.

As part of the sentencing, the court deemed him unfit to possess a firearm, and an order was made that his name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.

“The National Prosecuting Authority welcomes this sentence as it affirms our stance on the abuse of children. We commend the efforts of the prosecution and the police,” Ramkisson-Kara concludes.