NELSPRUIT � The Provincial Commissioner of Mpumalanga Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma has welcomed the hefty sentences handed down to two men who raped a 23-year-old woman on 26 January 2014 at Marapyane Village, Mmamethlake. The two, Morris Sputla Swele aged 31 and Mannetjies Boshomane aged 27, were sentenced to life imprisonment each at the Moretele Regional Court on 20 November 2018.
On the day in question, the two accused broke into the victim’s place of residence at around 02:30. After breaking in they forced her into a room at knife point and took turns raping her. Her sister who was in another room at the same house managed to sneak out and called for help. The community then alerted the police, however, the duo managed to escape before the police arrived at the scene.
A manhunt was launched and the suspects were arrested on the same day.
The court found Swele and Boshomane guilty on charges of rape, and declared them unfit to possess a firearm. Their sentences will run concurrently. They will also serve an additional 15 years in jail for another rape case they committed in the same area, prior.
Meanwhile, a 37-year-old man, was remanded in custody yesterday, 28 November 2018, by the Sabie Magistrates’ Court for allegedly raping a 15 year old girl on 24 November 2018.
It is reported that, the victim was on her way to a local tuckshop when the suspect dragged her to his house, locked the door, and repeatedly raped her. She was released the following day. The suspect was arrested yesterday, hence the remand.
The Provincial Commissioner of the Police in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma welcomes the sentences, and applauds members of the South African Police Service for their hard work and determination in collecting all the evidence that positively linked the convicts to the crime. As we observe 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, it is our duty as the police to ensure that women, children and other vulnerable groups are safe and live peacefully within their communities said General Zuma.
Source: South African Police Service