A man who raped a mentally challenged teenager has been jailed for life.

The 24-year-old man, who was not named by police spokesman, Major Thulani Zwane, attacked the 14-year-old while she was walking on a road, with two other children,  in the Conliver area, Msinga, in December 2011.

He grabbed her from behind and chased the children away by throwing stones at them. Then he dragged the victim to the bushes where he assaulted and raped her repeatedly. He fled, leaving the terrified victim inside the bushes at night.

Children reported the matter to their mother who informed the police and a search to find the victim was conducted. She was found in the bushes and a case of rape was opened at Msinga police station. Greytown Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit took over the investigation.

The accused fled the area when he heard that police were looking for him. The dedicated detectives did not give up, they continued with their investigation. Two years later, his whereabouts were known, he was arrested and taken into custody for prosecution. He was kept in custody throughout his trial. He received life imprisonment after his samples were positively compared with those found on the victim.

KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni commended Greytown FCS for their persistence to put the rapist behind bars. “We urge all the parents and guardians to take care of their children and protect them from predators like the accused,” she said.