Mbombela – The convict, Given Senzo Lekhuleni, 22, was handed a 20-year-long sentence by the Nelspruit Regional Court for the rape of a woman in April 2016, wherein, he accosted and raped her while she walking alone on an isolated piece of road near White River. He was apprehended on the very same day of the offence.
The investigation team ensured that they knitted together all the pieces of evidence, coordinating and facilitating with the forensic laboratory, ensuring that DNA samples were taken to prove the case beyond any reasonable doubt.
In giving evidence before the court, there was unison between the prosecutors (NPA), the SAPS as well as the victim, leading evidence without any loopholes until a conviction was attained. The Department of Justice, through the magistrate, made it vividly clear that there was synergy in the flow of the process, hence the sentence.
The General gave a thumbs up to the investigating team of the Nelspruit Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit for the sterling and hard work they put in the investigation of the case.
“These kinds of sentences help in sending a clear message to would-be criminals that crime does not pay”, said the General.
