TONGA – In a move that is hailed as a victory over the increasing scourge of female abuse, magistrate Mr Edgar Moletsane of the Nkomazi Magistrate’s Court, put the rapist of a 14-year-old girl behind bars for 22 years.
The 26-year-old Collen Makhwatse will spend more than two decades in jail for sexually assaulting the girl in 2011 in Driekoppies during a school break.
Luring the then 14-year-old girl away from school under false pretences, he threatened to kill her if she told anybody about the rape. He locked her into a room before forcefully abusing her sexually.
The girl only recently told her mother what had happened. When Makhwatse, their neighbour, was confronted, he chased them away, but the crime was reported and the Schoemansdal SAPS ensured the rapist will not lay hands on another girl for many years.
The cluster commander, Brig Lizzy Mtungwa lauded the investigation officer, Det Const Bonginkosi Mdakane for his successful prosecution of Makhwatse. She once again stressed their commitment to ensuring sexual abusers will face the wrath of the law.
