Officer is commended for securing convictions
She managed to secure the conviction and sentencing of two rapists.
TONGA – The acting cluster commander of the area, Col Velisiwe Mdaka, has given the thumbs up to Det Sgt Nomalanga Nomsa Mashele, who is a member of the family violence, child protection and sexual offences unit (FCS).
She managed to secure the conviction and sentencing of two rapists.
On September 1, 2011 a 27-year-old woman of Mbuzini (Nkungwini section) was asleep in her house when Simonise Ebony Mahlalela of Mangweni, entered the house and demanded money at knifepoint. The victim showed him where the money was, a total of R1 000. Mahlalela took it and told her that he wanted to have sex with her. She refused and Mahlalela forced himself on her. Afterwards he ordered her to lie on her stomach, and told her that he had been sent by someone to kill her and left. She called her neighbours, who took her to the police station.
A docket was opened and the dog unit was called to the scene as the suspect had used a condom. They managed to obtain evidence from a blanket and he was arrested. (Blood samples had been taken from both the victim and the suspect.)
Because Mahlalela denied the assault, he was released on a warning. Shortly afterwards, the DNA results positively linked him to the crime. He also had two other cases against him in the Tonga area and one in Elukwatini which were being investigated. He was then rearrested.
On July 4 this year, magistrate Ms Edga Moletsane of the Nkomazi Regional Court sentenced him to life imprisonment on one count of rape, as well as 18 years for house robbery. The other three cases are still pending.
• In another incident Moosa Buthelezi was sentenced to life imprisonment for raping a nine-year-old victim on April 25, 2008.
According to the victim’s statement, the suspect came to the house and told her that her mother had bought a fridge from his father, and she should come with him to collect it. She followed him and he led her into the bush and raped her. As the suspect was known to the victim, he was arrested. DNA samples were taken and results linked him to the crime.
According to Mashele it helps to report rape cases immediately as police are able to send victims for medical samples and to undergo counselling. Whether you know or do not know the suspect, cases must be reported immediately. She said, “Forensic evidence is important to convict sexual assault criminals, the sooner the crime is reported the faster police can obtain this evidence and use it to arrest the criminal.”
According to Mdaka it was Mashele’s determination and good detective skills which brought these men to justice. This was why these men received life sentences. “All police officers and community members must look up to the patrons upholding and implementing the law,” he said.
