A MAN (37) who is a stepfather to the victim was convicted and sentenced to 38 years in prison by the Pinetown Regional Court for five counts of rape on Monday, 6 July.
According to Major Thulani Zwane, KZN police spokesman, the victim was able to give competent evidence as her ordeal started when she was a minor at the age of 13 years.
“The victim, who is now 18 years old, stated that she was sexually abused after being drugged by the accused. She continued to be abused by the accused up until early January 2014 when she was just about to turn 17.
“She was able to confide in her friend, who alerted the victim’s mother, and a case of rape was opened with the Pinetown SAPS. “Later the Pinetown Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit took over the investigation, which saw the accused being arrested and charged with rape,” said Zwane.
The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni, applauded the members for the arrest of the suspect.
“We would like to send a strong message to all sexual predators that they shall be dealt with by the full might of the law,” she said.
