Accused sentenced to life for raping niece
The court heard that on July 7 2017, the uncle raped his niece in her mother’s. He undressed her and closed her mouth with a cloth before raping her.
MBOMBELA – A 47-year-old man, Solly Mabunda, was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Mhala Regional Court yesterday for raping his 12-year-old niece earlier in this year.
The court heard that on July 7 2017, the girl was at her mother’s bedroom when his uncle came into the room. He then undressed her and closed her mouth with a cloth before raping her. When he was done, he took her to the nearby bushes where he gave her R5 and informed her that she was his girlfriend.
The victim’s mother went to her room and found a towel full of blood stains. She then began looking for her daughter without any luck and proceeded to the nearby bushes where she found her in the company of the suspect. She asked her what happened and the victim told her of her rape ordeal in the house.
The mother took her to the clinic for medical treatment, where the incident was confirmed. The matter was reported to the police and the suspect was arrested on the same day.
In a separate incident, a 28-year-old man was arrested on October 29 for allegedly raping an 18-year-old learner. It is alleged that on October 21, the victim was at school with other learners when their teacher introduced a visitor who was sent by the Department of Education to address grade 12 learners about scholarship and that three learners could be chosen to go and study Medicine in Russia. The victim informed the visitor that she was interested and he took her cellphone number.
Later on the day, the suspect called the victim and they met in his car. He reportedly told her he was having grade 12 exam papers that he wanted to give her but must sleep with her first. She allegedly refused and the suspect raped her at the back seat of his car.
The matter was reported to the police and the suspect was arrested. A preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect lied to have been sent by the Department of Education so that he can achieve his evil deeds. Further probe also revealed that the suspect is also implicated in other rape cases as investigation continues.
He will appear at the Acornhoek Magistrate’s Court tomorrow today facing a charge of rape.
