Justice has been served for Lusanda Nkomo who was raped and murdered in Umkomaas last year.

South Coast Herald reports that the Pietermaritzburg High Court, sitting in Port Shepstone, handed down a double life sentence to Rogers Perumal (57) for these crimes.

Perumal lived in the same area as the child, and they knew each other.

On March 17 last year, Perumal’s dog went missing. While conducting a search in the neighbourhood, Nkomo joined him as she was fond of the dog.

“When they got to a bushy area, Perumal raped the child,” says Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) KZN spokesperson.

“He then assaulted her all over her body and strangled her before fleeing the scene.”

When the child did not return home that day, community members searched for her throughout the day and night. The next day, her lifeless body was found.

Investigations were carried out, and as Perumal was the last person she was seen with, he was arrested.

Angered locals ransacked Perumal’s house and set his belongings alight on the day of his arrest.

He abandoned bail on March 20 at the Scottburgh Magistrate’s Court.

At his sentencing last week, Advocate Mziwodumo Miza led the evidence of witnesses who saw Perumal walking with the child in the direction where her body was found. He also led DNA evidence linking Perumal to the DNA material found on the child.

A victim impact statement compiled by the child’s mother and facilitated by court preparation officer Beaufort Shinga, was handed in.

Perumal was sentenced to a term of life imprisonment each, for the rape and murder. The court also ordered that his name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.

His application for leave to appeal against both convictions and sentences was subsequently refused.

“This sentence underscores the seriousness with which the justice system treats crimes against the most vulnerable members of our society,” says Ramkisson-Kara.

“The NPA remains resolute in its pursuit of justice for victims of gender-based violence and child abuse, and will continue to ensure that perpetrators of such heinous crimes are removed from society and face the harshest possible consequences. Justice has been served, and the rights and dignity of our children protected.”

Nkomo was described as a bubbly and energetic child. She will be missed dearly by her community and was said to be everything to her family.

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