A rapist will spend the rest of his days in prison after a ‘missed call’ unwittingly identified himself to the victim’s brother.
The crime was committed in August 2015, when an 18-year-old girl was raped by an unknown man in Ezakheni C1 Section.
The victim was walking home when she was approached by the suspect. He pretended to need help in locating a certain individual and when the victim was unable to assist him, he became aggressive. He grabbed her and dragged her to the riverbank, using a firearm to threaten her with.
He then raped her, after which he demanded her cell-phone number. She cleverly gave it to him, knowing that her cell-phone was not with her. He immediately dialled the number and then cut the call.
He went on to rape her a second time and then left her there.
Also read: Update: 46-year-old statutory rape suspect appears in court and Brothers gang-rape young woman
She rushed home and reported the incident to her family, remembering that he had placed a missed call to her phone.
The brother of the victim immediately used his cell-phone to call the suspect and as the call went through, he realised he already had the number saved as a contact on his phone.
He arranged to meet the suspect and was directed by him to a tavern in the area.
The brother rushed over to the tavern, where he, with the help of the community, apprehended the suspect.
The suspect was then handed over to police. The case was placed on the roll and the suspect was given bail, but he absconded.
He was re-arrested by the investigating officer, Sergeant MH Mazibuko from the Ladysmith Family Violence, Child Protection & Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit.
The case was finalised on January 30 in the Ladysmith Regional Court, where the suspect, 25-year-old Smanga Sydney Mchunu, was sentenced to life imprisonment.
He was also found unfit to possess a firearm.
Click to receive news links via WhatsApp. Or for the latest news, visit our webpage or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Join us there!
