Yesterday, 1 August 2016, as we are celebrating Women’s Month, the accused Bonginkosi Goodman Cele (27) was convicted and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for raping a woman in 2010. He was convicted after the court heard how he raped a 20-year-old woman who was on her way to church.
During December 2010 at about 17:45, the victim was at Entshongweni area, Mpumalanga on her way to church when she met the accused who was driving his vehicle. The accused offered to take the victim to church and she agreed. While driving in the area, the accused decided to go and meet his friends in the same area who were consuming alcohol. The victim was also offered with alcohol not knowing that it was alcohol. Later, the accused took her to his house when she was repeatedly raped. The next morning she went to the nearest police station where she reported the case.
Pinetown Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offenses started their investigation and eventually the accused was arrested. He was charged with rape and appeared in court several times until he was convicted and sentenced by the Camperdown Regional Court.
The Acting KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Major General Bhekinkosi Langa welcomed the sentence handed down by the court. “As we are celebrating the Women’s Month our specialised unit which is Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offenses will make sure that those who abused women and children will get harsh sentences if found guilty. I also encourage women and children to report any form of abuse directed to them so that those involved will be prosecuted,” he said.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
