On 29 March 2018 the Eshowe Regional Court found Thulani Milton Shandu (34) guilty for raping a six year old girl at Ntumeni area outside Eshowe.
It is alleged that the children were playing at the homestead yard at Ntumeni area, Eshowe when their mother called them for lunch. Other children responded to the mother’s call however the girl (6) did not turn up.
The mother searched around the house and saw her coming out from the plantation. When the mother enquired as to where she was, she started crying and she told her mother that she was taken away by the neighbour uncle to the plantation where she was raped. The mother reported the matter to the family members.
A case of rape was opened at Eshowe Police Station and the docket was transferred to Eshowe Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit for further investigation. On 1 February 2017, the suspect was arrested after which he appeared several times at Eshowe Magistrate Court where bail was successfully opposed. He was kept in custody until the Eshowe Regional Court found him guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment.
The KwaZulu-Natal Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Bheki Langa welcomed the sentence handed down to the Rapist.“ This will send a strong message to the would-be offenders who intend to abuse women and children in the province. Our specialised units will make sure that those involved are getting hefty punishment” he said.
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