child rape

A young boy who, joined about 2000 people as they marched to the South African Parliament, 25 November 2006 to protest ongoing abuse of, and violence against women and children. Anglican Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane lead the march, along with Muslim clerics, the mayor of Cape Town, and Provincial Ministers. This march marks the start of the “16 days of Activism”, programme against abuse of women and kids, throughout the country. Photo by AFP/RODGER BOSCH

Child rape: Man found guilty of raping friend’s daughter

Convicted rapist Bonginkosi Innocent Nkambule was known to his nine-year-old child rape victim as he was a close friend of her father.

child rape

A young boy who, joined about 2000 people as they marched to the South African Parliament, 25 November 2006 to protest ongoing abuse of, and violence against women and children. Anglican Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane lead the march, along with Muslim clerics, the mayor of Cape Town, and Provincial Ministers. This march marks the start of the “16 days of Activism”, programme against abuse of women and kids, throughout the country. Photo by AFP/RODGER BOSCH

A 35-year old eMalayinini man has been sentenced to life in jail after he was found guilty of child rape.

Bonginkosi Innocent Nkambule was convicted of child rape in the Piet Retief Magistrates Court and sentenced to life imprisonment for the rape of a nine year old girl. The court also ordered that his name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Monica Nyuswa said that Nkambule was known to his victim and a close friend of her father.

“In 2019, Nkambule sent the victim to a nearby shop to buy him cigarattes. Upon her return, Nkambule grabbed her and dragged her into his house and forcefully raped her. He threatened to kill her if she reported  him,” Nyuswa said.

“The victim’s mother noticed that she was experiencing difficulty in sitting and examined her. She then discovered that she had been sexually abused and the matter was reported to the police,” she said.

Nkambule was swiftly arrested, tried and convicted of the child rape. 

State prosecutor, Advocate Marlin Cairncross, led the victim’s evidence during the trial. He described in detail the physical and emotional trauma that she had experienced as a result of the rape ordeal. Her testimony corroborated the evidence presented by a medical doctor. 

Presenting factors for his argument in aggravation of sentencing Cairncross told the court that the victim’s testimony had been credible and he urged the court to impose a suitable sentence for the child rape. 

“The court  agreed with the state and did not hesitate in returning a guilty verdict in light of the overwhelming evidence (presented by the) victim,” Nyuswa said.

Nkambule was sentenced  to life imprisonment. 

“The court further ordered his name to be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders. The National Prosecuting Authority welcomes the conviction and sentence,” Nyuswa added.