A hard of hearing man was given two life sentences in the Secunda Regional Magistrate’s Court for the rape of a child in 2012.

Manqoba Jan Mnisi needed a sign language interpreter to follow proceedings during his trial.

The court heard that Mnisi raped his victim twice in 2012 in eMzinoni, Bethal when she was only nine years old. The girl reported the incidents to her mother at the time, who did not believe her.

She later became rebellious and was fighting at school. When questioned about her behaviour, she disclosed the incidents to her family. A case was opened in 2018.

Magistrate Victor Ball sentenced Mnisi to two life terms on March 8. Prosecutor Bimla Pillay acted for the state.