Two child rapists will spend the next 20 years in jail after being sentenced in the Ezakheni Regional Court last week.
The rapes took place in the Ezakheni area during December 2015 and April last year.
In the December 2015 case, the 59-year-old accused repeatedly raped his 11-year-old granddaughter before being caught. The grandfather was raping the child in the garage when the grandmother walked in on the act. The matter was reported to police and the grandfather was arrested.
He was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment for rape. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm and his name will be entered into the National Register for Sexual Offenders.
In a separate incident, 20-year-old Mmeli Shabalala was caught raping a nine-year-old girl. The girl’s sister walked into their home and saw the crime taking place, which she reported to their mother.
Shabalala will also spend 20 years in prison. Similarly, in addition, he was declared unfit to possess a firearm and his name will be entered in the National Register for Sexual Offenders.
Both case dockets were investigated by the Ladysmith Family Violence, Child Protection & Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit.
“We hope that these sentences will send a stern warning to other rapists who intend to exploit those who are vulnerable in society,” said KwaZulu-Natal Acting Provincial Commissioner Major General Langa.
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