TONGA – Magistrate Edga Moletsane sentenced Nkosinathi Shabangu to lifetime imprisonment for rape and seven years for assault in the Nkomazi Regional Court this morning.
According to Tonga SAPS spokesperson Cpt Mzwandile Nyambi, the 33-year-old man reportedly raped a 14 year-old boy in the Steenbok Trust on December 5, 2014. While fleeing the scene, the man ran into his victim’s father and stabbed him three times, before escaping.
A docket was opened for the assault and rape cases and Shabangu was arrested the following day. His DNA was taken to prove whether he was involved in the rape.
Shabangu escaped from the court but was arrested once more.
During investigations by Det Sgt Lesedi Dhladhla of the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit, the DNA ended up positively linking Shabanga to the rape case.
Tonga SAPS and the family of the victims welcomed the sentence.
