NELSPRUIT A 47-year-old man, Solly Mabunda, was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Mhala Regional Court yesterday, 30 October 2019, for rape of his 12-year-old niece.

The court heard how, on 09 July 2017, the girl was at her mother’s bedroom when her uncle came into the room. He undressed her and closed her mouth with a cloth before raping her where after he took her to the nearby bushes where he gave her R5 and informed her that from that day onwards, she was his girlfriend.

The victim’s mother went to her room and found a towel with blood stains. She then began looking for her daughter without any luck and proceeded to the nearby bushes where she found her in the company of the suspect. She asked her what happened and the victim told her of her rape ordeal in the house.

The mother took her to the clinic for medical treatment, where it was indeed confirmed that she was raped. The matter was reported to the police and the suspect was arrested on the same day, hence his appearance and sentencing.

In a separate incident, a 28-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday, 29 October 2019, allegedly for raping an 18-year-old learner. It is alleged that on 21 October 2019, the victim was at school with other learners when their teacher introduced a visitor who was sent by the Department of Education to address grade 12 learners about scholarship and that three learners could be chosen to go and study Medicine in Russia. The victim informed the visitor that she was interested and he took her cellphone number.

Later during the same day, the suspect called the victim and they met in his car. He reportedly told her he was having grade 12 exam papers that he wanted to give her but must sleep with her first. She allegedly refused and the suspect raped her on the back seat of his car.

The matter was reported to the police and the suspect was arrested. A preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect lied to have been sent by the Department of Education so that he can achieve his evil deeds. Further probe also revealed that the suspect is also implicated in other rape cases, investigation continues.

He will appear at the Acornhoek Magistrate’s Court tomorrow, 01 November 2019, facing a charge of rape.

Source: South African Police Service