After evading arrest for more than eight months, two alleged rapists finally had their day in court last week.
The victim, a 49-year-old woman, claimed she was approached by two men near the Phelindaba sports fields in Madadeni, while on her way to work on June 17, 2015.
The perpetrators reportedly assaulted and raped her, before fleeing the scene of the crime with her cellphone.
A case was later opened at the Madadeni police station. The Newcastle Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit took over the investigation, and spent the next eight months tracking the suspects down.
Determined to bring the brazen assailants to book, the unit made a major breakthrough on February 3.
“The two suspects were traced at [the] Madadeni area, where they were arrested and charged for rape and robbery,” said SAPS spokesperson, Major Thulani Zwane. “[The] cellphone that was taken during the incident was also recovered during their arrest.”
The perpetrators, aged 18 and 20, made their first appearance before the Madadeni Magistrate’s Court on February 4. The case was postponed to February 11, pending further investigation.
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni welcomed the arrests.
“I commend the Newcastle FCS [unit] for a job well done. [The] establishment of such unit is a sign that the police will leave no stone unturned to those abusing vulnerable women and children in our province,” she concluded.
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