Rapist sentenced to 22 years in prison
According to Lt Mzwandile Nyambi, spokesman for the SAPS, it was fortunate that another neighbour saw Magagula jumping over a fence when he fled the scene.
TONGA – A resident of Naas, 32-year-old Sipho Wonder Magagula, has been sentenced to 22 years’ imprisonment for raping his neighbour’s 13-year-old daughter.
According to the victim’s mother, she woke up early in the morning and left the child at home to go to work. Magagula snuck into the house and found the girl asleep. He raped her while covering her mouth so she could not scream for help.
According to Lt Mzwandile Nyambi, spokesman for the SAPS, it was fortunate that another neighbour saw Magagula jumping over a fence when he fled the scene. The neighbour went to the victim’s house and found her crying, then reported the matter to the police.
“A case of rape was opened and the docket was assigned to Det Sgt Jacky Hlebelo, who is also lives near the accused and the victim, but that did not stop him from doing his work.
Hlebelo arrested Magagula, took blood samples and sent it to forensics to confirm the allegations. The DNA results confirmed that Magagula was the one who had raped the victim,” said Nyambi.
On October 20 magistrate Mr Edgar Moletsane found the accused guilty of rape and sentenced him to 22 years in prison.
The cluster commander of Tonga, Brig Lizzy Mtungwa thanked Hlebelo for not compromising just because Magagula was his neighbour, but he did his work properly according to the Criminal Procedure Act.
