Accused Bongani Cyprian Mtshali, aged 34, was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment on a charge of rape and two years’ for robbery on March 24.
The incident took place during the latter part of February 2015 in the Ezakheni area.
A 44-year-old woman was on her way to work at about 4.45am when she was suddenly confronted by the accused.
He produced a firearm and demanded cash and her cell-phone. She complied by handing over her cell-phone and explained that she did not have any cash on her.
He ordered her into a nearby playground, where he raped her. He then fled the scene.
The incident was reported to police, but the victim had difficulty identifying who the perpetrator was.
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The victim had to use the same road to work every morning, but was accompanied by a family member.
About a month later, while en-route to work one morning, she came across a couple. She immediately recognised the man as being the person who raped her. He was confronted, but denied the accusation and even offered to go to the police station.
At the police station, the victim produced her case number and explained her suspicions. The accused was taken in for questioning and was later charged for rape.
The accused appeared in court, where he continued to deny the charges against him, despite DNA evidence which placed him at the crime scene and which ultimately resulted in his conviction and sentencing.
KwaZulu-Natal Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Bheki Langa, welcomed the heavy sentence handed down to the accused and praised the officers for their efforts in making sure enough evidence was collected to lead to a conviction. “This sentence will serve as a lesson to other criminals,” he said.
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