Child rapist under lock and key
The victim was playing with her friends when she was approached by the accused in the oSizweni area in 2013. Mbatha summoned her to a nearby toilet, and sexually assaulted her.
Sworn to silence with a R1 bribe; a seven-year-old girl left debauched and damaged.
The Madadeni Regional Magistrate’s Court sentenced Mandlakayise Mbatha to life imprisonment for rape on September 18.
The victim was playing with her friends when she was approached by the accused in the oSizweni area in 2013. Mbatha summoned her to a nearby toilet, and sexually assaulted her.
The culprit handed the victim a R1 coin in an effort to buy her silence.
“When the mother was bathing the victim, she noticed there was something wrong with her and asked the victim what [had] happened to her,” said Major Thulani Zwane.
She explained the details of the sordid assault, which led to her mother reporting the incident to police.
“A case of rape was opened at oSizweni for investigation and the accused was arrested and charged accordingly,” explained Maj Zwane. “He appeared in court several times until he was sentenced.”
Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni commended the Newcastle Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit detectives for thoroughly investigating the youngster’s case. She explained the well-prepared docket presented before the court assisted in securing a conviction.
“We will always make sure that criminals who prey on vulnerable women and children are kept behind bars,” she concluded.
