A 32-YEAR-OLD traditional healer will spend 18 years behind bars for raping a nine-year-old victim. The accused was sentenced at the Camperdown Magistrate’s Court recently after it heard how the accused raped the victim.
Pinetown SAPS communications officer, Capt Bongumusa Manqele said two siblings from the Esidadeni area in Umsunduzi went to the accused’s residence for consultation on 21 September 2014.
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“The accused told the parents of the victim that he would prepare muthi to prevent evil spirits for their children. It is alleged that when the children arrived at his house, he sent the boy child to buy beers at a local tavern. While the brother of the victim was on his way to the tavern, the accused called the victim to his house and raped her.”
Manqele said the accused threatened the victim not to tell anyone.
“The victim informed her mother about the incident and a case of rape was opened at Umsunduzi police station for investigation. Pinetown Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit took over the docket and the accused was arrested and charged for rape. The accused was denied bail and he made several appearances in court before he was convicted and sentenced,” said Manqele.
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eThekwini Inner and Outer West cluster commander, Major General James Sayer welcomed the sentence handed down to the accused.
“Police will not rest until all people who perpetrate crimes against women and children are put behind bars,” he said.
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