Latest news with #Ramkisson-Kara
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
Father sentenced to life for raping son over two years
Chevon Booysen | Published 2 days ago A 38-year-old father will serve life behind bars after he was sentenced for repeatedly raping his biological son between 2019 and 2021. This week the Madadeni Regional Court sentenced the father who perpetrated the crimes at Madadeni, in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal. National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, said the boy lived with both his parents and brother. 'The accused raped the complainant on diverse occasions when his mother was not around. At some point, the complainant, his mother, and his brother went to live with the mother's family. While living there, the accused would fetch the children and their mother for visits. During this time, the accused continued to rape the complainant. 'The matter eventually came to light when the complainant's teacher noticed a change in the child's behaviour and asked him what was going on. He then told her that his father had been raping him for some time. The teacher then informed the school principal and the complainant's family,' said Ramkisson-Kara. The boy was taken to a nearby clinic where the doctor confirmed his injuries. The matter was reported to the police, and the accused was arrested. 'In court, prosecutor Cindy Alberts presented the evidence of the first report, including the schoolteacher and the doctor who examined the complainant. The doctor told the court that the physical injuries sustained by the complainant due to the rape will have lifelong effects. 'In aggravation of the sentence, Alberts led the evidence of the complainant's aunt who told the court that since the incidents, the complainant has become withdrawn and unhappy and is afraid of the accused,' said Ramkisson-Kara. Reacting to the sentence, Ilitha Labantu's Siyabulela Monakali said they welcomed the punishment and commended the victim for speaking out. 'As an organisation that has worked for more than three decades to combat gender-based violence and violence against children, Ilitha Labantu remains deeply disturbed by the persistent reality of sexual abuse within family structures. We welcome the court's decision and regard this outcome as a step toward justice for the survivor and his family. We commend the courage of the child in speaking out, and the vigilance of the teacher who acted with care and urgency. These are the acts that interrupt silence and disrupt the cycle of abuse,' said Monakali. In addition to the life sentence, the court ordered that the accused's name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders. He was found unsuitable to work with children and declared unfit to possess a firearm. [email protected]
The Citizen
3 days ago
- The Citizen
KZN man sentenced to 55 years in jail for raping five women
The man preyed on the women by attacking them in their homes at night while they were sleeping. A 55-year-old KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) man has been sentenced to 55 years in jail for the rape of five women between February 2017 and August 2023. Thanduxolo Manganyela appeared in the Mtubatuba Regional Court where the sentence was handed down. Prison He was also convicted of theft for stealing a cellphone belonging to one of his victims. Manganyela was sentenced to 55 years imprisonment on the rape counts, and two years for theft with the court ordering the sentence to run concurrently. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm, and the court ordered that his name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders. ALSO READ: 'Rats as big as cats': Louis Liebenberg sent to psychiatric hospital [VIDEO] Charges National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said Manganyela's victims were adults, and that the offences took place in the Emakhowe, Hluhluwe and KwaMsane areas. Manganyela and the complainants were unknown to each other. He was charged and convicted of four counts of rape, where the minimum sentence for the offence was 10 years' imprisonment. 'The fifth count of rape carried the minimum sentence of 15 years imprisonment. In all these charges, the court sentenced him to the minimum sentence for the offences,' Ramkisson-Kara said. Trial During the trial, state prosecutor Phumlani Khoza led the testimonies of all the women as well as the evidence of the J88 forms. Ramkisson-Kara said Manganyela was linked to all the women via DNA, and evidence was handed in to the court. 'In addition, Khoza handed in Victim Impact Statements facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Sthembile Cebekhulu and compiled by some of the complainants. One of the complainants mentioned that her boyfriend had left her after he learned that she had been raped. 'She said that she now fears for her girl child, following what happened to her. Another complainant said that she feels useless and does not feel like a human being anymore. One other complainant said that she is unable to sleep with the lights off. She said that she has become moody, and she is always angry,' Ramkisson-Kara said. Rapes According to the NPA, Manganyela preyed on the women using the same modus operandi by attacking them in their homes at night while they were sleeping. 'In one instance, he raped an aunt and niece who were living together, while in another instance, he raped a mother in the presence of her minor children. Following the rapes, he would ask the complainants to cover themselves with blankets, and he fled the scene,' Ramkisson-Kara said. 'The complainants reported the offences to the police, and buccal swabs of DNA evidence were taken from them. Manganyela was eventually arrested when one of the complainants saw him walking around in her neighbourhood and alerted the police.' Ramkisson-Kara said the NPA remains committed to the fight against the scourge of gender-based violence. 'We will continue to ensure that justice is delivered swiftly and decisively.' ALSO READ: Four sentenced to life for murder of Alfred Duma Municipality employee
IOL News
4 days ago
- IOL News
Father sentenced to life for raping son over two years
A 38-year-old father has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the repeated rape of his biological son over a two-year period, shedding light on the alarming issue of child abuse within families. Image: Pixabay/File A 38-year-old father will serve life behind bars after he was sentenced for repeatedly raping his biological son between 2019 and 2021. This week the Madadeni Regional Court sentenced the father who perpetrated the crimes at Madadeni, in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal. National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, said the boy lived with both his parents and brother. 'The accused raped the complainant on diverse occasions when his mother was not around. At some point, the complainant, his mother, and his brother went to live with the mother's family. While living there, the accused would fetch the children and their mother for visits. During this time, the accused continued to rape the complainant. 'The matter eventually came to light when the complainant's teacher noticed a change in the child's behaviour and asked him what was going on. He then told her that his father had been raping him for some time. The teacher then informed the school principal and the complainant's family,' said Ramkisson-Kara. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The boy was taken to a nearby clinic where the doctor confirmed his injuries. The matter was reported to the police, and the accused was arrested. 'In court, prosecutor Cindy Alberts presented the evidence of the first report, including the schoolteacher and the doctor who examined the complainant. The doctor told the court that the physical injuries sustained by the complainant due to the rape will have lifelong effects. 'In aggravation of the sentence, Alberts led the evidence of the complainant's aunt who told the court that since the incidents, the complainant has become withdrawn and unhappy and is afraid of the accused,' said Ramkisson-Kara. Reacting to the sentence, Ilitha Labantu's Siyabulela Monakali said they welcomed the punishment and commended the victim for speaking out. 'As an organisation that has worked for more than three decades to combat gender-based violence and violence against children, Ilitha Labantu remains deeply disturbed by the persistent reality of sexual abuse within family structures. We welcome the court's decision and regard this outcome as a step toward justice for the survivor and his family. We commend the courage of the child in speaking out, and the vigilance of the teacher who acted with care and urgency. These are the acts that interrupt silence and disrupt the cycle of abuse,' said Monakali.
The Citizen
5 days ago
- The Citizen
Father sentenced to life in jail for raping biological son
The man raped his son between 2019 and 2021. A 38-year-old KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) father has been sentenced to life in jail for raping his son. The man, whose identity is being protected to protect the victim's (age not disclosed), appeared in the Madadeni Regional Court on Tuesday. According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the man raped his son between 2019 and 2021. Trial NPA regional spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said during the trial, state prosecutor Cindy Alberts presented the evidence of the first report, including the schoolteacher and the doctor who examined the complainant. 'The doctor told the court that the physical injuries sustained by the complainant due to the rape will have lifelong effects. In aggravation of the sentence, Ms. Alberts led the evidence of the complainant's aunt, who told the court that since the incidents, the complainant has become withdrawn and unhappy and is afraid of the accused,' Ramkisson-Kara said. ALSO READ: Security officer sentenced to life for raping teen in Roodepoort 'In addition to the life sentence, the court ordered that the accused's name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders. He was found unsuitable to work with children. He was declared unfit to possess a firearm.' Rape Ramkisson-Kara said the rape came to light while the man's son was living together with both his parents and his brother. 'The accused raped the complainant on diverse occasions when his mother was not around. At some point, the complainant, his mother, and his brother went to live with the mother's family. 'Whilst living there, the accused would fetch the children and their mother for visits. During this time, the accused continued to rape the complainant,' Ramkisson-Kara said. Arrest The matter eventually came to light when the victim's teacher noticed a change in his behaviour and asked him what was going on. 'He then told her that his father had been raping him for some time. The teacher then informed the school principal and the complainant's family. The complainant was taken to a nearby clinic where the doctor confirmed his injuries. The matter was reported to the police, and the accused was arrested.' Ramkisson-Kara said. The NPA welcomed the finalisation of the matter and remains resolute in its 'pursuit of justice' on behalf of the victims of child abuse. 'We will continue to protect the rights and dignity of children,' Ramkisson-Kara said. ALSO READ: Online dating site serial rapist and murderer arrested in Limpopo
The Citizen
07-07-2025
- The Citizen
Predator receives life for child's rape
Elphius Elias Shabangu (38) whom the Madadeni Regional Court described as cruel and inhumane has been jailed for life for the 2024 rape of an 11-year-old girl. Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, regional NPA spokesperson, said the little gril was raped near Theku Plaza in Madadeni while she and her siblings were selling sugarcane by the roadside during a visit to an aunt in the area. Shabangu approached the siblings asking them to go to a nearby shop, leaving him alone with the 11-year-old. He then forced her to a vacant house nearby, where he raped her twice before fleeing. When her siblings returned to the stand, they found that the victim was missing. Unfamiliar with the area, the victim struggled to find her way back to her aunt's house until a community member assisted her. 'Upon her return, she immediately told her aunt what had happened. Her aunt examined her, observing blood on her thighs and quickly reported the incident to the police, before the young girl was taken to Madadeni Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC) for support,' Ramkisson-Kara said. Since Shabangu was unknown to the complainant, he was initially able to evade justice. However, a few months later, Shabangu was arrested in Mpumalanga in connection with the rape of two other minor children. His DNA ultimately linked him to the Madadeni case which led to his arrest. He pleaded guilty to all three counts of rape and while in Mpumalanga, he had already received two life sentences. In the Madadeni Regional Court, Prosecutor Khethiwe Kunene presented compelling testimony from the complainant's aunt, who told the court her niece had become withdrawn and fearful since the incident. Shabangu was give a life sentence and declared him unfit to possess a firearm. His name will be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders. Shabangu's attorney applied for the Madadeni life sentence to run concurrently with his Mpumalanga sentences. However, the presiding officer denied the application, stating that this would make Shabangu eligible for parole after only 25 years. The court emphasised that Shabangu did not deserve this opportunity, given his cruel and inhumane actions towards young, innocent children. 'The imposition of the life sentence and the court's refusal of Shabangu's application underscores the gravity of his crimes. Sexual offences will not be tolerated in our society and will be met with the full force of the law. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) remains steadfast in its commitment to uphold the rule of law and pursue justice for victims of crime, especially the most vulnerable,' concluded Ramkisson-Kara. The news provided to you in this link has been investigated and compiled by the editorial staff of the Newcastle Advertiser, a sold newspaper distributed in the Newcastle area. Please follow us on Youtube and feel free to like, comment, and subscribe. For more local news, visit our webpage, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and request an add on our WhatsApp (082 874 5550). At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
