NXUBA – The Nxuba Regional Court has sentenced a 49-year-old resident of Lingelihle to life imprisonment for raping his then 14-year-old stepdaughter. She is now 18 years old.
To protect the identity of the victim, who was a minor at the time of the offence, the names of both the accused and the complainant have been withheld.
Luxolo Tyali, National Prosecuting Authority Regional Spokesperson, said that the rape occurred on 29 December 2020 at the family home in Nxuba (formerly Cradock), where the complainant lived with the accused.
He said that at the time, her mother was working on farms in the Western Cape and had entrusted the accused with her daughter’s care and protection.
“On the night of the incident, the accused instructed the child to undress. When she refused, he produced a knife, threatened to kill her, and strangled her until she could no longer resist. He then raped her,” said Tyali.
He further said that during the assault, the accused made statements implying he would not be falsely accused of wrongdoing, though the context of these utterances was not established in court.
Tyali said that the following morning, after the accused left for work, the complainant confided in a neighbour and disclosed the rape.
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He said that the neighbour immediately contacted the child’s mother, who directed that the matter be reported to the police.
“The victim was taken to the hospital for examination and referred to the Nxuba Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC), where forensic samples were collected, and she received comprehensive medical and psychosocial support,” said Tyali.
“Alternative accommodation was arranged through the TCC, and the complainant later relocated to the Western Cape. She testified via remote link, supported by a Court Preparation Officer.”
Tyali said that the accused was arrested and released on bail pending trial.
He said that at trial, State Prosecutor Makabongwe Seyibokwe presented strong evidence, including the complainant’s testimony, first-report evidence, and DNA results conclusively linking the accused to the offence.
Tyali said that Seyibokwe highlighted the gravity of the crime, the blatant abuse of a position of trust, and the severe, long-term impact on the victim.
Furthermore, he said that the State argued that the protection of vulnerable children and the interests of society demanded the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment.
“The accused pleaded not guilty and claimed non-pathological intoxication, asserting he was too drunk to remember the events. The court rejected this defence as false beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted him,” said Tyali.
In addition to life imprisonment for rape, the court declared the accused unfit to possess a firearm and ordered that his name be entered on the National Register for Sex Offenders.
Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, Barry Madolo, welcomed the sentence and commended the prosecution team, court preparation services, the investigating officer, and the Thuthuzela Care Centre staff for their dedication in securing justice.
“This sentence sends a strong message that rape and violence against women and children will not be tolerated in our society,” said Madolo.
He also praised the survivor’s courage in coming forward and testifying against her attacker.
Tyali said that the Thuthuzela Care Centre, a one-stop facility providing integrated support to survivors of sexual offences, played a vital role in delivering medical care, counselling, and practical assistance throughout the process.
He said that this conviction and life sentence represent a significant victory for the prosecution and affirm the effectiveness of the TCC model in empowering survivors and achieving accountability.
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