On 4 July 2017, the Empangeni Regional Court sentenced a 42-year-old stepfather to 20 years imprisonment for sexual assault. It is alleged between 2004 and 2012, a 10-year-old girl was repeatedly sexually assaulted by the accused in the absence of her mother.
The incident took place at Ngwelezane area, Empangeni when the stepfather used to victimize the victim and threaten to kill her should she tell anyone. The victim reported the matter to her mother and the case of sexual assault was opened at Empangeni SAPS.
In another incident on 5 July 2017, the Pietermaritzburg Regional Court sentenced Lindokuhle Myaka (18) and Nhlakanipho Sitshazi (20) to 16 years each for rape. It is alleged on 26 December 2015, at 19:15, a 39-year-old woman went to the local tavern in Sweetwaters. On her way home, she was approached by two men who offered to accompany her because it was late.
Whilst on the way they grabbed the victim to the ground and both raped her. The victim managed to ran to a neighbor’s house who assisted to report the matter to the police. A case of rape was registered at Plessislaer SAPS.
The KwaZulu-Natal Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Bheki Langa praised the FCS units for securing the sentences in court. “These sentences will also serve as a stern warning to other criminals who think they will get away after committing such acts to vulnerable women and children,” he said.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
