A young girl (16) from Turton near Mtwalume was raped in her room on April 14, 2017 by Xolani Cyril Zofika (36).
“He was armed with a knife and threatened to kill her if she spoke out,” said Port Shepstone Saps communications officer, Captain Petros Mpinge.
Despite this, the teen bravely confided in an adult and a case was opened at Hibberdene Police Station.
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Sergeant Beatus Cele of FCS Port Shepstone, who has been investigating cases of rape for more than 11 years, was assigned the case.
Zofika was arrested on May 25, 2017 and on January 29 this year he was sentenced in the Scottburgh Regional Court to life imprisonment.
The police have said they will do their utmost to assist sexual offence victims in any way possible.
“We aim to lessen the trauma, fully investigate the case and to ensure the harshest sentence is meted out on the accused,” said Capt Mpinge.
“When a sexual offence is committed, the victim suffers severe trauma. It is difficult to conceive of any other offence in which the bodily and psychological integrity, privacy and dignity of a victim is simultaneously violated more severely than when a sexual offence is committed.
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“Furthermore, a sexual offence not only affects the victim alone, but also his or her family and personal life. It is imperative that victims speak out until a case is opened. Rape is not gender specific. Anyone can become a victim.
“At times, the suspect is known to the victim, or is a family member. Saps urges you to make your safety a priority at all times. Parents and caregivers must do everything possible to maintain the innocence of our children,” he said.
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