Two accused were recently sentenced for rape in two separate incidents in Bergville and Ladysmith.
In the first case, which happened in Bergville on April 3 last year, a 30-year-old woman was on her way home at about 7pm. She was grabbed by an unknown man who said he loved her and then raped her. Before leaving, he gave her his cell-phone number, claiming that he wanted to apologise to her family for his actions towards her.
The woman took down the number and the suspect’s identity was later discovered using the number given. The accused was arrested a few days later on April 10. 28-year-old Ayanda Phumokwakhe Mazibuko was sentenced in the Ladysmith Regional Court to eight years’ imprisonment.
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In the second case, a 36-year-old woman was at her home in the Emagogogweni area of Ladysmith on November 26 last year, drinking with a group of people. The rest of the group left during the early hours of the morning, with the accused remaining behind.
As soon as the others were gone, the accused attacked the woman, assaulting her with a bottle and stabbing her with a knife. He then raped her. The accused was arrested on the same day.
Melusi Mbatha, aged 26, was sentenced in the Ladysmith Regional Court to 20 years’ imprisonment for rape.
The cases were investigated by the Ladysmith Family Violence, Child Protection & Sexual Offences Unit.
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