Maphumulo Regional Court convicted and sentenced Phendu Zondi (30) to life imprisonment for rape and four years imprisonment for kidnapping.
The sentence emanates from the incident that occurred in the night of 17 May 2016. Zondi met the victim (22) whilst she was on her way home in Dalibho area. He attacked her with a bottle when she ran away, he stabbed her with a sharp instrument. He then took her to his home where he kept her the whole night, raping her.
She managed to run away the next morning, seeking assistance and was taken to hospital where the incident was reported. A case of rape and kidnapping was opened at Nsuze police station. The docket was sent to the KwaDukuza Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit for investigation.
Investigators followed up on the case and made an arrest merely two weeks after the incident. The accused was kept in custody throughout the trial until his successful prosecution.
KwaZulu-Natal Acting provincial Commissioner, Major General Bheki Langa commended the investigating officers on the successful prosecution of the accused. “The accused received a suitable sentence for his dreadful actions and we will continue to fight women abuse in our province,” he said.
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