PINETOWN Regional Court convicted and sentenced Themba Jali (47) to 15 years imprisonment for raping a seven year old child.
According to Capt Bongumusa Manqele, communications officer at Pinetown SAPS, the mother of the seven-year-old victim was informed by neighbours that her daughter was raped on 20 March, at approximately 6.15pm in Clermont.
“The accused was caught red-handed by a concerned neighbour who saw the little girl entering his house. The victim was interviewed and confirmed that she was raped on different occasions”.
“The police were immediately contacted and the case of rape was registered at KwaDabeka SAPS. The Pinetown Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit took over the investigation and the culprit was eventually apprehended. He made several court appearances until his sentence,” said Manqele.
The KwaZulu-Natal acting provincial commissioner, Major General Bhekinkosi Langa welcomed the sentence handed to the rapist.
“The protection of our citizens remains our priority. The rapists have no place in our society, we will make sure that they are brought to jail where they belong,” he said.
