Chatsworth man sentenced to seven years for raping 14-year-old step-sister

A 35-year-old man was sentenced to seven years in prison for raping his minor step-sister.

A Chatsworth man has been sentenced to seven years in prison after being convicted of sexually abusing his 14-year-old step-sister. His application for leave to appeal was dismissed

The teenager's mother, who fought for justice after finding out that her daughter had been sexually abused, said she could finally breathe again.

The 35-year-old man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the now 16-year-old girl, was sentenced in the Durban Regional Court last Thursday.

According to the charge sheet, the man unlawfully and intentionally had sexual intercourse with the child on several occasions between March and April 2025 at their home.

After finding out what happened, the mother reported the matter to the police.

The accused, a receiving officer at a private medical practice, subsequently handed himself over to the police and was charged.

He was, however, granted R3 000 bail and was subsequently convicted in June this year.

In handing down sentence, Magistrate Thobeka Nomvungu said the court had to balance the seriousness of the offence, the interests of society, and the personal circumstances of the accused.

She said the court also considered a probation officer’s report, which included the man's personal circumstances, the views of the complainant and her mother, as well as the impact of the offence on the child.

“The probation officer recommended direct imprisonment, saying this would reflect the seriousness of the offence, promote respect for the law, protect vulnerable children and serve the purposes of punishment.”

Nomvungu said the defence (the man’s legal representative) acknowledged the seriousness of the offence but argued that the matter fell into the category of less serious rape cases, relying on the absence of violence or threats and arguing that the complainant had participated willingly.

“The defence also pointed to the accused’s status as a first-time offender, his employment, family responsibilities and prospects of rehabilitation, and argued for a wholly suspended sentence.”

Nomvungu said the State, however, argued that the accused was an adult who, as the girl’s stepbrother, had a duty to protect her rather than take advantage of her age and vulnerability.