A would-be rapist is now behind bars after being convicted of an attack on a woman in May last year.
It was a cold winter’s night on May 14 last year when a 30-year-old woman from the Hobsland area arrived back in Ladysmith after buying stock in Durban. The lady was in possession of various items of women’s clothing. While in the Ladysmith CBD, she was befriended by an African male who offered her a lift home. Since it was getting late and no alternative transport was available, she accepted the lift. While on the Hobsland main road, the driver suddenly stopped his vehicle and attempted to rape the woman. Her resistance enraged the man and he produced a wheel spanner which he used to strike her over the head.
The woman’s screams got the attention of nearby community members, who rushed to her aid. The man drove off, leaving his weapon behind and taking all the woman’s property. Police and an ambulance were called, and the victim was stabilised at the scene before being taken to hospital. Her injuries were serious and she remained in hospital for the following week. Due to her injuries, police were not able to get much information out of her during this time.
As soon as she was discharged from hospital, she made contact with Warrant Officer John Masengemi of the Ladysmith Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit. The detective used the information she gave him to trace the suspect to the Estcourt area. He was arrested on May 27 and brought to Ladysmith, where he was detained.
The accused appeared in court and his attempts to apply for bail were denied since he was on parole for another crime. All evidence was collected and filed, and the case was heard in the Ladysmith Regional Court. On January 22 this year, 52-year-old Biyce Mchunu was convicted and sentenced. He was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment on one count of attempted rape, and 15 years on two counts of robbery.
The investigating officer would like to thank the Ladysmith Regional Court prosecutor for assisting him during the investigation of this case.
