The Madadeni Regional Court has sentenced a 51-year-old man to life imprisonment for the rape of a six-year-old boy, who was his neighbour.
The incident took place in the Osizweni area on the KZN North Coast in June 2023.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in KZN spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said that the accused was a neighbor.
He had built a relationship with the 6-year-old boy before committing the heinous crime in June 2023.
"On the day of the offence, the accused went to his neighbor's house, and he found the complainant playing with other children."
Ramkisson-Kara said the court heard how the accused lured the child to his house under the pretense of going to the shop.
Once there, he raped the child, causing severe internal and external injuries.
Prosecutor Simphiwe Scelo Hlela presented a strong case, highlighting the accused's manipulation and exploitation of the child. The medical report revealed the extent of the child's physical injuries, further solidifying the prosecution's case.
The NPA welcomed the sentence.
"We are committed to ensuring that justice is served for the victims of these heinous crimes, and we will continue to work tirelessly to hold perpetrators accountable."
In addition to life imprisonment, the accused was also declared unfit to possess a firearm and was ordered to register as a sex offender.
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