A 27-year-old man was handed a life sentence by the Ingwavuma Regional Court recently for the rape of an 85-year-old pensioner in eManguzi in December.

Zululand Observer reports the court heard that the victim lived alone at her home. On the night of December 15, she awoke to find the accused inside her bedroom. He threatened her to remain quiet if she wanted to live and raped her multiple times.

The victim later managed to flee to a neighbour’s house for help but received no response. She was found unconscious the following morning. After regaining consciousness, she told her neighbours about the attack and was taken to hospital.

Following the incident, the accused admitted to his siblings that he had raped the victim and expressed suicidal thoughts. Police were contacted and the man was arrested.

During sentencing, prosecutor Lungisile Bhengu presented two victim impact statements compiled by the complainant and her daughter-in-law.

In her statement, the victim said that, although she may appear outwardly fine, her heart ‘is still bleeding’. She said the attack had completely changed her life and that she feels ‘dead’.

Her daughter-in-law described how the victim, once independent and free, now lives in fear. She said she is even afraid of her own grandsons, believing they, too, might harm her.

NPA regional spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara welcomed the outcome, saying: “Elderly persons are protected by legislation due to their vulnerability as they age, and ought to be able to live in a peaceful and safe environment. Cases such as this underscore the NPA’s commitment to ensuring justice, particularly in crimes against the elderly.”

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