Man sentenced to life imprisonment for rape of minor in Bhambayi

Ntando Shozi was sentenced at the Ntuzuma Regional Court to life imprisonment for the rape of a minor in October 2022 in the Bhambayi area, neighbouring Phoenix.

On the day of the incident, the minor went outside her house to look for her mother. There she saw Shozi, 25, who she recognised from the area, but she did not know his name.

Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, regional spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), said he asked her to buy him cigarettes and then produced a knife, threatening her to follow him to a remote area, where he raped her.

“Shozi then gave the minor girl R5 and let her go. She immediately reported the incident to her mother’s friend who then relayed the information to (the minor’s) mother. The complainant was taken to the Phoenix Thuthuzela Care Centre for further assistance,” said Ms Ramkisson-Kara.

Since the minor did not know Shozi’s name, a social worker from the Bhambayi area assisted by taking her and her mother for a walk and a drive around the area with the hope of finding him. The minor eventually recognised Shozi in Inanda and pointed him out. The complainant’s mother then asked the people around there who Shozi was and where he lived. This information was relayed to the police and this led to Shozi’s arrest.

In court, Prosecutor Lisa Abrahams led the testimonies of the minor, the first report and the social worker who was present when the minor pointed Shozi out.

The evidence of a medical doctor, the investigating office and DNA evidence linking Shozi to the offence, also formed part of the state’s case.

In the complainant’s Victim Impact Statement, which was facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Senziwe Mthethwa, the minor said that the incident would haunt her for the rest of her life.

She said she had to relocate because of the incident and now misses her family.

Shozi was sentenced accordingly and was declared unfit to possess a firearm. In addition, the court found him unfit to work with children and ruled that his name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.

“The NPA welcomes the successful prosecution. It is their mandate to protect the most vulnerable in society. We commend the work done by the prosecution and the police in securing the conviction,” said Ms Ramkisson-Kara.