Life sentence for rapist posing as traditional healer
He told the mother that he could heal the girl with traditional medicine and save her from going to the hospital and her mother accepted the proposal:
The Madadeni Regional Court has sentenced a 33-year-old man to life imprisonment for the April 2022 rape of a 17-year-old girl.
Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, NPA regional spokesperson, prior to the incident, the man had befriended the girl’s mother while pretending to be a traditional healer. He learned from his frequent visits to them that the girl frequently became ill and had to be taken to hospital.
He told the mother that he could heal the girl with traditional medicine and save her from going to the hospital which the mother accepted.
“On the afternoon of the incident, he picked up the girl from her home, telling her mother that he would take her to the river for a cleansing ritual, followed by a prayer meeting with the other congregants,” said Ramkisson-Kara.
However, instead he took her to his house under the pretext of waiting for the arrival of the other congregants.
“He forcibly undressed her and raped her twice and only released her in the early hours of the next morning. The girl immediately reported the rape to her sister and mother and the police were called.”
The victim was taken to the Madadeni Thuthuzela Care Centre, where she received medical and psycho-social support. Shortly afterwards, the man was arrested.
Scelo Simphiwe Hlela, regional court prosecutor, led the testimonies in court of the girl, her mother and her sister to whom the matter was first reported, and the medical doctor.
Hlela also submitted a Victim Impact Statement, which she wrote with the help of Court Preparation Officer, Masande Mdiya.
In her statement the girl said that the incident had left her traumatized, embarrassed, and with psychological scars. She stated that being a virgin was her pride as a young girl.
As a result, the man was sentenced to life in prison.
“The National Prosecuting Authority applauds the successful conclusion of this case because it demonstrates our commitment to combating the scourge of gender-based violence. We applaud the work of the prosecution and SAPS,” Ramkisson-Kara concluded.
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