Bongani Watu Phindela (24) was on 19 August 2020 sentenced to life imprisonment for rape and 15 years imprisonment for robbery at the Kokstad Regional Court. The sentence came after the court heard how Bongani and his accomplice raped the victim while she was on the way to her home in Shayamoya location, Kokstad.
On 17 November 2019, at 01:00, the victim was on her way home at Shayamoya location in Kokstad when three men, one known to her, attacked her. The men grabbed and pulled her to an open field between Shayamoya and Bambayi where she was raped and stabbed in the back of her body. The victim sustained injuries and was rushed to the hospital for medical attention. She was also robbed of her takkies, belt and cellphone.
A case of rape and robbery was opened at Kokstad police station and assigned to the Kokstad Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit for investigation. After thorough investigation, the two accused were arrested and appeared before the Kokstad Magistrate. The matter against one accused was not enrolled due to insufficient evidence against him.
Bongani made several appearances in the Kokstad Regional Court and was sentenced to life imprisonment for rape and 15 years imprisonment for robbery. An outstanding suspect is still sought by the police.
The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Jula praised the detectives for the arrest and sentence of the accused
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