Eshowe Regional Court sentenced Phumlani ‘Mtoto’ Xulu (23) to life imprisonment for rape of a then 13 year old female at KwaYanguye area in Melmoth. On 15 September 2017, the victim was collecting water at KwaYanguye area with other children. While they were passing through the forest, Xulu came from behind and he walked passed them. He suddenly turned and proposed love to the victim.
When she refused, he got angry and threatened all the children. He then ordered the two boys to sleep with the girls. They refused and ran away, leaving the victim behind who was already grabbed by Xulu.
The children met a bus driver and informed him about the incident. They took him to the scene where Xulu was found raping the victim and he ran away when seeing the bus driver. The bus driver took the victim who was also severely assaulted to the police station to report the incident.
A case of rape was opened at the Melmoth police station and assigned to the Eshowe Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit for investigation. The investigating officer assigned to the case arrested the accused, the following day. Xulu was charged and kept into custody throughout the trial until he was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
