Schoolgirl rape victim dies before life sentencing of perpetrator

A 19-year-old schoolgirl didn’t live long enough to hear her rapist being convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment by Eshowe Regional Court.

In March 2022, the 38-year-old entered the victim’s room to charge his speaker. She and some other school-goers were renting a room from the accused so as to attend the nearby school.

On the night of the incident, the victim was alone in her room when he entered. When asked to leave, he refused. He then threatened her with a pair of scissors, ordered her to undress, and raped her twice before leaving.

The following morning, the victim went to a neighbour’s house to ask for help, and they contacted her mother. She was taken to a local police station where a rape case was registered, and then to a clinic for medical assistance.

The accused fled the area but was arrested three months later.

In court, Prosecutor Nomthandazo Mkhize led evidence from the victim and her mother, with DNA evidence positively linking him to the rape.

In the Victim Impact Statement compiled by the victim’s mother, the court heard how adversely the victim had been affected, falling sick several times after the rape, and eventually dying.

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