Two men have been sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment by the KwaDukuza Regional Court in KZN for raping minors in Maphumulo and Ntshawini.

According to The North Coast Courier, Thokozani Bongani Dlamini was convicted of raping a 14-year-old relative in Shombela, Maphumulo, in April 2021. He also received an additional five-year sentence for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, with the sentences to run concurrently.

The court heard that the victim reported the rape the following morning, which led to Dlamini’s arrest. Dlamini suffered a stroke during the proceedings and his health deteriorated. However, the magistrate noted he had shown no remorse and persisted with a false version of events despite overwhelming evidence.

In a separate case, Thulani Siphelele Dube (58) was convicted of raping an eight-year-old relative in Ntshawini’s Congo area. The rape was witnessed by a neighbour, who immediately reported it to the victim’s mother. Community members later apprehended Dube and handed him over to the police.

Both men were declared unfit to possess firearms, and their names will be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders in terms of Section 50 of the Act 23 of 1957. The court stressed the seriousness of sexual offences against children and the lasting trauma inflicted on victims.

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