LOTHAIR – Freddy Themba Jele (31) from New Scotland Farm in Lothair was sentenced in Ermelo Magistrate’s Court to life imprisonment and the court declared him unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 103(2) Firearms Control Act 60/2000.
According to Const. Bathobile Khumalo, spokesman for Lothair police, the court heard how he kidnapped the victim and held her captive from January 31 to February 6, 2020.
She added that while the victim was held captive, he raped, assaulted, starved and engraved his name on her body using knives and needles.
The victim also alleged that the accused threatened to kill her if she made any attempts to call the police.
Const Khumalo added that during the time the victim was held hostage, Jele would constantly threaten her by pointing a firearm at her.
She also alleged that they would spend some nights in the forest where the accused would continuously rape her.
The victim’s sister reported her missing at the Lothair Police Station.
Const. Juliette Vilakazi responded swiftly to the complaint, followed-up on a lead and went to New Scotland Farm in search of the victim.
Upon finding her, she was weak and had bruises and bloodied clothes.
Jele was arrested and charged with rape and kidnapping.
Capt. Vusi Mahlangu, station commander for Lothair police, applauded Const. Vilakazi for the swift response, which led to the immediate arrest of the accused and thanked the lead investigator Det. Sgt. Magdeline Mafate of the Ermelo FCS for the sterling job of collecting and bringing the evidence before court.
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