The Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Liziwe Ntshinga has welcomed the 20 years imprisonment sentence handed to Lusanda Xekethwana, 36, by Mount Fletcher Regional Court on 7 September 2020.
It is alleged that on 19 July 2019, the victim, 13 at the time attended a traditional ceremony (Intonjane) with other boys and girls at Ntatyeni location, Hlankomo Administration Area, Mount Fletcher. Later that night, they all slept in the same room with girls facing one direction and the boys facing different direction. At about 04:00 the following morning, the victim felt there was something wrong as the leggings she was wearing were on her knees and the accused was sleeping behind her.
The young girl was brave enough to report what had happened to the elders and a case docket was registered and handed over to Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit. The case was assigned to D/W/O Moabi Morai. The suspect was immediately arrested and granted bail despite the efforts by the Investigating Officer to oppose bail.
“SAPS Management is content with the sentence which is a result of the quality investigative work by our Detectives together with the collaboration and effective consultation with National Prosecuting Authority. It is worrisome when young girls are raped and abused by the very same people who are supposed to be protecting them, but we will not be deterred, our detectives will continue with the sterling investigations to ensure that these suspects are sentenced for a long time”, said Lt Gen Ntshinga.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
