Double life sentence for child killer
KZN acting provincial commissioner Major General Bhekinkosi Langa commended the thorough work of Umhlali detectives.
The kidnapping and horrific rape and murder of five-year-old twin Velile Mgomezulu that shocked the North Coast community in July last year, has finally come to a head with the sentencing of the man responsible.
Lindokuhle Mthethwa (22) from Etete received two life sentences for rape and murder on Thursday, September 22 from the Durban High Court.
He was further sentenced to five years for housebreaking plus another five years for kidnapping.
Velile was in grade R at RA Padayachee Primary School in Shaka’s Head
Her mother Senzeni Mgomezulu said her twin daughters Velile and Nomvelo lived with her in Shaka’s Head but had been visiting their aunt in Etete during the school holidays.
On July 4 last year, at about 4.30am in the morning, Velile was sleeping in her room in Etete.
“Mthethwa broke down the door and took the victim to nearby bushes where he raped her.
Afterwards he realised the victim might be able to identify the him, so he banged the five-year-old’s head against some rocks,” said Lieutenant Colonel Thulani Zwane.
Zwane said the little girl was found and taken to a nearby hospital where she later died of her injuries.
A case of murder, rape, kidnapping and housebreaking was opened at Umhlali police station.
Within 24 hours the police, with the assistance of the community, traced and arrested the accused. He was charged accordingly.
The Etete community came out in numbers to support Velile’s family and protest against bail when Mthethwa appeared for his bail hearing last year.
The KwaZulu-Natal acting provincial commissioner, Major General Bhekinkosi Langa commended the good work of Umhlali detectives on this case.
“The members presented enough evidence to court that led to a harsh sentenced to the accused.
“I also thanked the community members for their role in making sure that the accused was brought to court immediately after he committed these crimes,” he said.
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