A 45-year-old man from Newcastle has received a life sentence from the Newcastle Regional Court for the repeated rape of his 15-year-old biological daughter.
Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, KwaZulu-Natal spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), detailed the offence, which unfolded in Ncandu Park between June 2022 and June 2024 while the victim lived with her father, stepmother, and siblings.
Ramkisson-Kara stated, “The accused started raping his daughter in June 2022. He would go to her room at night and rape her, threatening to assault her if she told anyone about it. The complainant was afraid to report the matter to her stepmother, thinking that she (her stepmother) would not believe her.”
The abuse emerged into the open, however, when the stepmother awoke one night and found her husband missing from their bed. “She searched for him and found him raping the complainant. The accused ran out of the room, while the stepmother spoke to the complainant, who told her that she had been rape by her father for some time,” Ramkisson-Kara continued.
Consequently, police were alerted and the girl was escorted to the Madadeni Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC).
Meanwhile, the perpetrator fled the district upon the report’s filing; nevertheless, authorities later apprehended him in Durban after tracking his vehicle’s GPS device.
In court, Prosecutor Thulisile Shabalala introduced testimony from the stepmother, the initial witness, who described the devastating impact on the victim, forcing her relocation from the area. Moreover, both the complainant and the examining doctor also testified, Ramkisson-Kara added.
Accordingly, the court imposed a life term, ruled the convict unfit to hold a firearm, and directed his inclusion on the National Register for Sex Offenders.
“The NPA’s campaign against the scourge of sexual violence has been bolstered by the expansion of the TCC network across the country, which has increased from 55 TCCs in 2020/2021 to 66 TCCs at present. The TCCs deliver comprehensive services and support to victims of sexual violence,” Ramkisson-Kara concluded.
This case underscores the persistent challenge of familial sexual abuse in South Africa, where perpetrators exploit positions of trust and authority to silence victims over extended periods.
Yet, the successful prosecution—enabled by a vigilant family member, swift police action, and robust evidence presented in court—demonstrates the critical role of integrated support systems, including Thuthuzela Care Centres, in securing justice.
If anyone is suffering at the hands of another, please come forward and get help.
| Contact your local police station or : | |
|---|---|
| SAPS Emergency Services: | 10111 |
| Domestic violence Helpline: | 0800 150 150 |
| Childline: | 116 |
| The ACVV | 021 461 1109 |
Be sure to read, “Steer Clear of Sexting”—SAPS Warns After 18-Year-Old’s 8-Year Sentence for Teen Video, if you missed it.
FAQs
The Newcastle Regional Court handed down a life sentence to the 45-year-old offender.
The repeated rapes took place in Ncandu Park, Newcastle, between June 2022 and June 2024.
The stepmother discovered the assault and alerted police, leading to the man’s arrest and conviction.
The accused received a life sentence, was declared unfit to own a firearm, and will be listed on the National Register for Sex Offenders.
The NPA reiterated its commitment to combating sexual violence, highlighting the expansion of Thuthuzela Care Centres across South Africa to support victims.
2 Responses
Why us his name and face not put out in the public for everyone . What’s with protecting this evil person
The evil sod i am so glad he is locked up and I pray the daughter get all the help she so needs now