A 28-year-old woman has been given life plus an additional five years for raping her younger brother (a minor) between 2022 and 2024. The sentence was handed down by the Madadeni Regional Court.

According to Natasha Ramkisson-Kara (NPA regional spokesperson – KwaZulu-Natal Division), the accused pleaded guilty in terms of Section 112 of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977 after she admitted to raping and displaying pornographic material to her brother, who was eight years old when the offences began.

“The complainant and the accused are biological siblings, and they resided in the same homestead with their mother. During the period of 2022 to 2024, and whilst the accused was alone with the complainant at home, the accused raped the complainant on multiple occasions,” said Ramkisson-Kara.

“She also displayed pornographic material to him on those occasions. Following the rapes, she would threaten him not to tell anyone,” added Ramkisson-Kara.

School presentation prompts victim to speak out

Ramkisson-Kara explained that the offences finally came to light in 2024 after the victim attended a presentation at school, where learners were told to report anyone who touches their private parts. This presentation encouraged him to report the matter to his mother.

The victim was taken to the Madadeni Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC) for medical and psycho-social support.

The matter was then reported to the police, who arrested the accused shortly afterwards.

Matter goes to court

In aggravation of sentence, Prosecutor Zama Zikalala emphasised that the accused had abused a position of trust as the victim’s older sister. The victim’s mother also testified about the behavioural impact the abuse has had on her son.

The court sentenced the accused to life imprisonment for rape and five years for exposing a minor to pornographic material.

She was further declared unfit to possess a firearm, and the court ordered that her name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.

“The NPA welcomes this sentence. The fight against sexual violence, particularly against children, remains a top priority. The expansion of Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs) across the country from 55 in 2020/21 to 66 currently continues to play a vital role in providing comprehensive support to victims of sexual offences,” Ramkisson-Kara concluded.

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