Justice was served when the Dundee Regional Court handed Themba Mlungisi Zulu (28), a 15 year sentence for raping a mentally challenged girl.
During June 2013 Themba, who is a neighbour to the family, had too much to drink and was invited into the family home and offered a place to sleep.
He pretended to be asleep once everyone retired to bed and got up and entered the victims room, where he raped her. The victims screams were heard by her father who then went to check on her. He found him hiding behind the door. Not suspecting that anything had happened he chased Themba out of his home.
When the girl’s mother inspected her, she was convinced that she had been raped. The family took their daughter to the Helpmekaar Police Station where a case of rape was opened and the victim was taken for medical examination and evidence was collected.
Themba was later arrested by the Helpmekaar SAPS.
Warrant Officer BPP Khambule of the Dundee Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit was handed the case for investigation.
A psychologist was summoned in order to get information from the girl. The evidence given in court proved to be very helpful and the accused was linked via DNA to the rape.
This is another proud accomplishment for Dundee FCS Unit and the Commander, Captain FP Fuller, expressed her gratitude toward the Investigating Officer for securing this sentence.
“Be careful who you allow into your family home and who you trust to be around your children. Not everyone is trustworthy. Especially when it comes to our children,” Captain Fuller said.