MBOMBELA -  A 63-year-old pensioner, whose identity is being withheld, was sentenced to life imprisonment in the Mhala Regional Court for the rape of a six-year-old child. The minor’s identity may also not be revealed.

The incident happened in October 2017 at Welverdiend Village, outside Thulamahashe. The court heard testimony of how the accused first threatened the child - who was sitting outside her grandmother’s house - before taking her to the toilet where he proceeded to rape her. He then threatened to kill her if she told anyone what had happened. The following morning, the victim’s brother alerted the mother when he noticed that his sister was struggling to get out of bed. Upon checking up on her, the mother noticed the injuries to her private parts. The child was taken to hospital where the rape was confirmed. The mother then reportedly confronted the accused and he allegedly confessed to the crime.  

The matter was then reported to the police who acted swiftly by arresting the perpetrator the next day. The court also heard that the grandmother, who lives with the victim and her siblings, was in a relationship with the accused and, when the child reported the rape to her, she (the grandmother) tried to cover up the crime.

The Provincial Commissioner of the Police in Mpumalanga, Lt Genl Mondli Zuma, welcomed the sentence and commended the SAPS members on their hard work and determination in collecting all the evidence that enabled this lengthy conviction.

Editor: Anchen Coetzee
Subeditor: Lynette Brink
Submitted by: Brig Leonard Hlati