AN Empangeni rape victim can finally feel a sense of closure, after being forced to endure the seven-year-long proceedings that eventually led to the conviction and a life sentence of her rapist last week.
The incident occurred in 2010 after the accused, who is known to the victim and cannot be named for reasons of safety to the victim, asked her to accompany him to a tuck shop.
He then told her he needed to see his employee and proceeded to drive to Richards Bay.
En route to eSikhaleni from Richards Bay, the victim told the 42-year-old man that she needed to go home.
After continuous pleading from the victim, the man drove her down a gravel road, a route unknown to her.
At some point along the gravel road, he stopped his car and then raped his victim four times over a period of a few hours.
He eventually drove her home and threatened her with murder should she report him.
During the trial at Ngwelezana Regional Court, Court Prosecutor, Ronita Kisten led the evidence of the complainant, including medical evidence.
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In her victim impact statement, the complainant recorded how the incident has left her traumatised and angry, and she struggles to maintain a romantic relationship.
The State asked the court to consider the secondary victimisation suffered by the complainant, as she had to wait almost five years to finish her evidence.
Reasons for this included the absconding of the accused before the victim could be cross-examined and, after his re-arrest, the accused changed lawyers twice, subjecting his victim to cross-examination by two lawyers.
The accused was sentenced to life behind bars for rape, and ten years for kidnapping.
KZN Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Moipone Noko said, ‘I am pleased with the sentence. I hope it sends out the necessary message to sexual predators that they will not get away with these offences.’
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