Four life sentences handed down to King Williams Town rapist

South African Police Service

Four life sentences handed down to King Williams Town rapist
Four life sentences handed down to King Williams Town rapist

The 49 year old Sonwabo Jelman was sentenced to life imprisonment for Rape at Zwelitsha Regional Court on 19 October 2018. Sonwabo Jelman sexually assaulted a 19 year old girl at Peelton Location outside King Williams Town from 2014.

The case was reported in July 2016. He was immediately arrested and appeared at Court on 29 July 2016. The Investigating Officer Constable Ntsikelelo Mbokoto successfully opposed bail and the suspect was remanded in custody.

In November 2016 the case was transferred to Zwelitsha Regional Court where he appeared several times. On 18 July 2018 the suspect was found guilty for five counts of Rape.

On 17 October 2018 he was sentenced to four life imprisonment and fifteen (15) years for Rape which will run concurrently.

The Commander for King Williams Town Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit, Lieutenant Colonel Zitulele Mahlambeni has welcomed the convictions and he also extended his appreciation to the Investigating Officers and the justice system for a job well done. These sentences will definitely send the message that the law will deal harshly with perpetrators of crime, he added.

South Africa Today – South Africa News

SOURCESouth African Police Service