Widenham beach rapists jailed for 17 years
The couple was assaulted and robbed of their personal belongings before the woman, then aged 21, was raped.
A COUPLE parked at a Widenham beach in September 2016 endured a terrifying ordeal when they were forced from their vehicle by four men and chased down to the beach.
The couple was assaulted and robbed of their personal belongings before the woman, then aged 21, was raped.
Two of the men responsible, Sthabiso Mbhele (25) and Sphamandla Ndelu (27) were each sentenced to 17 years’ imprisonment by Magistrate Ambrose Mfayela in the Scottburgh Magistrate’s Court on Monday last week.
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In mitigation it was argued that the court should take into account the youthfulness of Mbhele and Ndelu and the fact that both were employed at the time of the attack indicated that they had a sense of responsibility.
Prosecutor Charlie du Plessis, however, argued that neither had shown remorse during court proceedings, adding “The psychological and emotional devastation the young woman suffered will affect her for the rest of her life.”
Magistrate Mfayela explained that the court was of the opinion that both Mbhele and Ndelu could be rehabilitated and reintegrated into society. However, he added that the crime of rape had reached epidemic proportions and that some even viewed the country as the rape capital of the world.
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