On 11 June 2018, a six-year-old girl from Mkhoma Reserve in Empangeni was playing at her neighbour’s house when a 17-year-old boy forced her to enter the room and raped her. The victim’s aunt went to look for her and found the accused in bed with the little girl. The victim informed her aunt that the accused raped her.
A case of rape was opened at Empangeni police station and the docket was transferred to Empangeni Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit for further investigation. The accused was arrested and made several court appearances until he was found guilty by Empangeni Regional Court on 20 January 2021. He was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for rape.
The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Khombinkosi Jula hailed the team for securing the sentence at court. “The sentence will send a clear message to other young people who believe they can commit crime and getaway because of their age. They must know that once you break the law you are a criminal and you will be treated like one,” he said.
