A 22-year-old rapist will spend a very long time behind bars after handing himself over to police.
The crime took place during the latter part of November 2012. A 13-year-old girl was on her way to a public phone in Ezakheni E-Section when she was accosted by three men, one of whom she recognised. They took her to a nearby house.
The two unknown men left the house, and the third person wasted no time in undressing and raping the youngster.
She was able to leave the premises and rushed home, where she reported the incident to her elders. A docket was registered at Ezakheni SAPS and the Ladysmith FCS Unit took over the investigation after being informed of the case.
A search for the suspect was unsuccessful and information revealed that he had fled the area. Detectives continued to pursue the man and in January 2013, he finally handed himself over to police in Ezakheni.
The case was heard in the Ladysmith Regional Court, where Manqoba Buthelezi (22) was sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment.
His name is to be entered in the Register for Sexual Offenders and he was also found unfit to possess a firearm.
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