Local man and woman in court on 49 counts of assault
The victims were aged between 9 and 15 when the alleged acts of rape, sexual assault and assault with the intent to commit grievous bodily harm were inflicted on them.
MBOMBELA – A man (48) and woman (41) of Masoyi plead not guilty on all 49 charges of assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm, sexual assault and rape that were laid against them in the Circuit High Court yesterday.
Mr Johan Jabulani Mlombo and Ms Sister Mapalese Khoza stand accused of raping, sexually assaulting and assaulting various minor girls during August, 2012. They were specifically charged with hitting some of these females on their backs with sticks and burning them with heated metal objects on their faces. These acts were reportedly performed during initiation practices.
The victims were aged nine to 15 when the alleged crimes were committed.
The judge, Mr JJ Strydom, warned both accused that a conviction on a rape charge where the victim was a minor, where more than one conviction of rape was made or where common purpose was involved in committing the crime, would lead to a life sentence being imposed on the perpetrator.
Read Friday’s print edition for more.
