AFTER three years of intensive investigations, the rape and kidnapping trial of three men came to an end at the Durban Regional Court on Friday.
Tuwa Amini Ysufu (37), Aliyani Lajabu (27) and Kondwani Mpondwa (30) were each sentenced to life imprisonment for rape and 15 years for kidnapping which will run concurrently.
On 15 September 2015, the victim(21) was on her way to church when she was approached by the accused requesting directions. The accused bundled her into the boot of a vehicle.
The victim was blindfolded and taken into a house in Merebank where she was repeatedly raped.
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The victim’s distraught grandmother reported her missing at the Wentworth Police Station when she did not return from church.
Three days after the rape and kidnapping, the victim managed to overpower one of her assailants and flee.
The victim flagged down a motorist who rendered assistance by transporting her to SAPS Wentworth.
The Brighton Beach Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit worked round the clock to trace the accused. Their hard work yielded positive results when the accused were arrested on 26 September 2015 at Merebank.
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