A 33-year-old father was sentenced to life imprisonment in the Mount Fletcher Regional Court on 3 February 2021 for the rape of his 13-year-old biological daughter.
On 28 July 2020, the 13-year-old minor was walking with her father to the bus stop at Zingonyameni location when the father raped her. They then proceeded with their journey to town and upon their return, the young girl informed her friends about what happened earlier. The following day, 29 July 2020, the matter was reported to the police and the accused was arrested and appeared in the Mount Fletcher Magistrates’ Court.
The case docket was assigned to D/Sgt Zuko Mnothoza, attached to Mount Fletcher Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offence (FCS) Unit for further investigation. The Investigating Officer successfully opposed bail and the suspect was remanded in custody until the finalization of the case.
The member worked tirelessly in ensuring that a water-tight case was presented at court. On the 3 February 2021 the accused (name withheld to protect the identity of the young girl) was found guilty and he was sentenced to life Imprisonment.
Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Liziwe Ntshinga praised the investigating officer, D/Sgt Zuko Mnothoza as well as the prosecuting authority for ensuring that criminals are sent to jail for a long time. “We cannot allow criminals to continue endangering the lives of innocent citizens especially children they are supposed to be protecting. We need to remove them from society. I commend the investigating officer as well as the prosecuting authority for making sure that one less rapist is off the streets and in jail,” she added.
