Father sentenced to life for raping son over two years

A 38-year-old father will serve life behind bars after he was sentenced for repeatedly raping his biological son between 2019 and 2021. 

This week the Madadeni Regional Court sentenced the father who perpetrated the crimes at Madadeni, in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, said the boy lived with both his parents and brother. 

“The accused raped the complainant on diverse occasions when his mother was not around. At some point, the complainant, his mother, and his brother went to live with the mother’s family. While living there, the accused would fetch the children and their mother for visits. During this time, the accused continued to rape the complainant.

“The matter eventually came to light when the complainant’s teacher noticed a change in the child’s behaviour and asked him what was going on. He then told her that his father had been raping him for some time. The teacher then informed the school principal and the complainant’s family,” said Ramkisson-Kara.

The boy was taken to a nearby clinic where the doctor confirmed his injuries. The matter was reported to the police, and the accused was arrested.

“In court, prosecutor Cindy Alberts presented the evidence of the first report, including the schoolteacher and the doctor who examined the complainant. The doctor told the court that the physical injuries sustained by the complainant due to the rape will have lifelong effects.

“In aggravation of the sentence, Alberts led the evidence of the complainant’s aunt who told the court that since the incidents, the complainant has become withdrawn and unhappy and is afraid of the accused,” said Ramkisson-Kara.

Reacting to the sentence, Ilitha Labantu’s Siyabulela Monakali said they welcomed the punishment and commended the victim for speaking out. 

“As an organisation that has worked for more than three decades to combat gender-based violence and violence against children, Ilitha Labantu remains deeply disturbed by the persistent reality of sexual abuse within family structures. We welcome the court’s decision and regard this outcome as a step toward justice for the survivor and his family. We commend the courage of the child in speaking out, and the vigilance of the teacher who acted with care and urgency. These are the acts that interrupt silence and disrupt the cycle of abuse,” said Monakali.

In addition to the life sentence, the court ordered that the accused's name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders. 

He was found unsuitable to work with children and declared unfit to possess a firearm.

chevon.booysen@inl.co.za