Detective Warrant Officer Majakate Phala, from the Springs Family Violence, Child Protection Services and Sexual Offences Unit, has been applauded for his investigative work, which led to the conviction of a man accused of raping a minor.

The Springs Regional Court sentenced Lizwe Mike Ndlovu (40) to three life imprisonments and three years for being an illegal immigrant.

According to police spokesperson Captain Neldah Sekgobela, the convicted repeatedly raped the then 13-year-old girl in April 2024.

“The victim reported the matter at school, stating that her mother left her at a family friend’s for a few days as she had to attend a course in Pretoria.

“The young girl revealed that the husband of her mother’s friend called her to the bathroom where he undressed and then inserted his fingers inside her private parts,” she said.

Sekgobela added that the second and third incidents occurred in Ndlovu’s office, where he worked at the same apartment as the child’s caretaker.

“He called the victim in his office, where he undressed her and raped her twice. The case was reported to Springs SAPS by the victim’s school principal,” Sekgobela explained.

The case was assigned to Phala.

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“He left no stone unturned. Phala arrested the accused and convinced the magistrate by submitting a comprehensive report.

“Immigration officers also confirmed the legality of the accused, that he was found to be illegal in this country. Phala opposed Ndlovu’s bail application and the court ruled in his favour,” Sekgobela said.

The accused was found guilty and sentenced on March 18.

The Ekurhuleni District Commissioner, Major General Anna Sithole, commended Phala for restoring community trust and protecting vulnerable children from perpetrators in Ekurhuleni.