Duduza – Ekurhuleni District Commissioner Major General Anna Sithole has commended SAPS FCS Detective Warrant Officer Phala for ensuring that the family of a young rape victim received closure and for his meticulous investigation which helps protect the lives of innocent children.

This follows the conviction of 32-year-old Linda Khumalo, who was sentenced to life imprisonment for raping a seven-year-old girl.

The victim’s mother reported that she took her daughter to a birthday party in Duduza and left her there on February 13 at around 13:00. Later on, at about 18:00, she went back to collect her daughter and headed back home.

“Upon arriving home, the mother noticed that her child appeared to be in pain when attempting to urinate. When she asked the child why she could not urinate, her daughter told her that while she was at the party, she was approached by Khumalo who called her and she went to him.

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“The accused instructed the little one to go into the toilet.

“She did as told, and the accused followed her, told her to bend over where he raped her,” explained Ekurhuleni SAPS District spokesperson Captain Neldah Sekgobela.

The mother took her daughter to the Duduza Police station, where she opened a rape case.

“The child was taken to a doctor, where the incident was medically confirmed. The case was handed over to Phala of the Springs Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit for investigation.

“He ensured that Khumalo was arrested and brought before the Nigel Regional Court to face charges of rape,” said Sekgobela.

Khumalo was found guilty of rape on August 14.