Ndudi Anyim
The Family Violence Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit in Gqeberha has secured a life sentence for a 45-year-old man, who was found guilty of raping his 11-year-old stepdaughter between 2018 and 2019.
According to the Provincial Commissioner, Eastern Cape, Lieutenant General Liziwe Ntshinga, the child was raped on several occasions at their house in Helenvale.
Ntshinga said the child reported the rape at the Helenvale Victim Support Centre and to her two aunts, hence a case was opened on July 31, 2019 and the suspect was arrested on the same day.
“ He was remanded in custody until the finalisation of the case. On March 9, he was sentenced to life imprisonment,” he said.
Similarly, a 26-year-old accused of rape, has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for the rape of a 17-year-old girl.
It was learnt that on January 21, 2015, the 17-year-old teenager and a friend were walking on the San Souci Road towards Pola Park in Booysens Park when the accused, Siyabonga Mfama approached them.
He allegedly demanded their cellphones and threatened them with a knife, after which he raped the teenager.
“ He was linked to the crime through DNA. At the time of his arrest for the rape, he was already serving a seven-year sentence for illegal possession of a firearm in Humewood in October 2017.
“ He was sentenced in July 2018 in respect of the illegal possession of a firearm case. The court ruled that the sentence of 10 years will not run concurrent to his already serving sentence.
The investigating officer in both cases was Detective Sergeant Joshua Shilajoe of the Family Violence Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) in Gqeberha, ” the police chief said.
Ntshinga also welcomed the sentences handed down to the sexual offenders, saying: “ The expertise of our Family Violence Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) is critical in ensuring that perpetrators of rape and sexual abuse are removed from society. Crimes against women and children are cowardice therefore, victims of abuse are encouraged to blow the whistle on the perpetrators in order to protect the vulnerable. I commend the sterling work of the investigating officer and the prosecuting authority. ”