A 25-year-old man was sentenced to life and a further 15 years imprisonment on Tuesday, April 14.
Bongani Mbense was charged for rape, house breaking with intent and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
The Cleveland SAPS communications officer, Constable Mpho Mashakane, said the crimes were committed in 2011 and 2013.
She said on June 11, 2011 at about 2am, a man attacked a woman while she was sleeping in her home in Malvern.
“He and another man man broke the door and held a woman at a knife point. They threatened to kill her if she made a noise. They robbed her and took her electrical appliances before they fled the scene,” said Const Mashakane.
She said while the police were investigating the case, Bongani committed another crime in 2013.
“On July 08, 2013, he was arrested for another house robbery on Jules Street in Malvern. DNA was taken from him. That was when he was positively linked to the 2011 rape and house robbery case,” she said.
Const Mashakane commended the investigating officer.
“Warrant Officer Patrick Raletsemo did a fantastic job in securing this conviction. We also thank the involvement of the community. Without your help, our job would not be easy,” said Const Mashakane.
She urged anyone with the information about the second suspect to contact W/O Raletsemo on 083 882 2664.
