Juvenile sentenced for rape of minor
Victim kidnapped and raped while she was waiting for her parents.
The Dundee Regional Court has sentenced Sandile Zwane (19) to seven years imprisonment for the rape of a 13-year-old girl.
Sandile, who was 17 at the time of the incident, has a suspended sentence for five years and will undergo three years of correctional supervision, as well as attending various life skill courses during his time of community service.
His name is also entered into the Sexual Offenders Register and he has been declared unfit to possess a firearm.
The court heard that Sandile raped his 13-year-old victim on August 2, 2013, at Tayside Farm. The victim was walking home with her parents when they stopped at a house along the road. Her parents left her on the roadside with groceries they had recently bought.
When they returned, they could not find their daughter or the groceries. After searching everywhere for her, they returned home.
The victim only returned home in the early hours of the next morning, disgruntled and shaken. She reported that she was taken by force and raped by Sandile, who was well known to her, as they schooled at the same school previously.
A case of rape was opened in Dundee and the matter was investigated by the Dundee Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit, with Warrant Officer Khambule appointed as the Investigating Officer.
The suspect was traced and with the assistance of his parents, he was brought in for questioning and charged with the rape of the young girl. Because he was a juvenile at the time, he was released into the custody of his parents, who ensured his appearance at every court date.
Warrant Officer Khambule commented that the victim gave a good and clear account of events and was well supported by her mother. This led to the successful conviction of the young offender.
“It is sad to see the youth involve themselves in crime, especially sexual crime, but they should know that they are not above the law and that they will be punished appropriately for their behaviour. One can only hope that he will be rehabilitated,” said Warrant Officer Khambule.
