A 22-year-old man was sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal rape of an 83-year-old disabled grandmother in Ntshawini, KwaDukuza.

The sentence was handed down by the KwaDukuza Regional court last Wednesday.

Spokesperson for the KZN Directorate of Public of Prosecutions, Natasha Kara, said the elderly woman, who was physically challenged and relied on a wheelchair to move around, was raped in November of 2018 by Siyabonga Buthelezi.

Kara said the accused, who was known to the victim, entered her home in the early hours of the morning, dropped her from the bed onto the floor and repeatedly banged her head on the cement.

The accused then raped her, stole her bag containing R27 and fled.

She lay there until the next morning and called out for help when her neighbour walked past.

She was taken to hospital for treatment and counseling at the KwaDukuza Thuthuzela Care Centre.

A medical doctor testified on the victim’s physical injuries and prosecutor Ronita Lutchman also submitted DNA evidence and the testimony of the victim’s daughter, who was the first to report the rape.

The daughter said that her mother was able to identify the accused and remembered what he had been wearing.

She recognized him as he had visited her grandson several times before.

The description of the accused coupled with a description of his clothes assisted the police in his arrest.

In court, the accused denied the rape and claimed that he had spent the night drinking with his friends and later went home.

However, when called to testify in his defence, his friends could not confirm that he had gone straight home.

The state also submitted a victim impact statement compiled by the victim and facilitated by court preparation officer, Princess Mlangeni.

In the statement the victim said that no words could describe the trauma she had suffered.

She was a helpless old lady who could not fight back.

She considered the accused to be like her grandson and he took advantage of her vulnerability.

KZN Public Prosecutions director, advocate Elaine Zungu welcomed the conviction and sentence.

“Gender Based Violence (GBV) needs to be fought vigorously as this type of crime is rife in our society.

“The victim in this matter was not only 83 years old but was also physically challenged and thus unable to defend herself against a 22-year-old male.

“He knew her condition, and he took advantage of the situation.

“The prosecutor and the Saps who worked on this matter are commended,” Zungu said.