Ermelo Court sentences man to life imprisonment for rape of seven-year-old boy | Mpumalanga News

A 41-year-old man was sentenced to life imprisonment for raping a seven-year-old boy in the Ermelo Regional Court on Friday, June 20.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority’s regional chairperson, Monica Nyuswa, on July 2023, the accused went to his friend’s house where he was residing with the victim and requested to sleep as he was intoxicated.

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“The accused shared the room with the victim and his father slept in a separate room. While sleeping, the accused undressed the minor boy and raped him. The victim screamed asking for help and the accused fled the scene.

“The victim was taken to Ermelo Thuthuzela Care Centre for medical examination and psychosocial support,” Nyuswa said.

The accused was traced and arrested the same day at Mazakhele Section in Ermelo.

Nuyswa said in court the accused claimed that he was intoxicated and denied raping the victim. Prosecutor Chané Rothman led credible evidence of the victim who testified using intermediary services. The victim’s father also testified.

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“A medical report confirming injuries to the victim’s private parts was presented in court. The accused was found guilty as charged.”

Nyuswa said in aggravation of sentence, Rothman argued for the prescribed minimum sentence of life to be imposed on the accused, emphasising that the accused’s behaviour warranted a strong societal message.

The accused was sentenced to life imprisonment for rape. The court declared the accused unfit to possess a firearm, unsuitable to work with children and ordered his name entered into the National Register for Sexual Offenders.