The Scottburgh Regional Court recently sentenced a 40-year-old man to two terms of life imprisonment for the rape of a mentally challenged man.
The attacker and his 25-year-old victim lived in the same area of Sawoti.
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In the first instance, the victim was raped while they were on their way back from a traditional ceremony at a nearby homestead.
He returned home and reported the incident to his granny. A case was opened and an arrest was made.
However, the case was provisionally withdrawn pending the outcome of DNA results, as the victim was unable to give evidence in court due to his mental state.
During this time, the rapist again encountered the victim and took him to his home. The victim’s aunt became concerned when he did not return home and went out looking for him.
Neighbours told her that they had seen the victim at the man’s house. She gathered together community members and went to the home.
The aunt peeked through the window and saw the two men naked on the bed. She shouted for her nephew to come out, but the assailant kept him inside and threw stones at the community members.
The community members eventually broke down the door to the house and rescued the victim. Following a medical examination, a second case of rape was opened and the man was arrested. In court, he denied both allegations.
Regional Court Prosecutor, Active Njakazi led DNA evidence as well as the testimonies of the doctor and the victim’s aunt.
KwaZulu-Natal Director of Public Prosecutions, advocate Elaine Zungu said, “Well done to those involved in bringing this man to book. He took advantage of the mental state of the victim. We view matters of this nature in a serious light.”
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