Mthokozisi Nkosi (27) was sentenced to 4 years’ imprisonment for kidnapping and 10 years for rape on September 9. The conviction and sentencing stems from an incident that took place on April 11, 2013.
Police officers at the Van Reenen Community Service Centre received a report of a kidnapping that had taken place the night before. It was suspected that the victim had been taken to the Kleinfontein area.
The officers located the uncle of the victim, who lived in the area. He was able to assist them with information concerning the possible location of the suspect. When an SAPS vehicle arrived at the suspect’s premises, he fled on foot but was soon apprehended by police.
It was then found that he had raped the kidnapped victim several times. He was detained and charged for kidnapping and rape.
The suspect was brought before court and remanded into custody. He was later granted bail pending a lab report. The accused failed to attend further court proceedings and absconded.
A warrant of arrest was authorised for the accused and Ladysmith FCS detectives networked with police officers from the Bergville area, which resulted in the re-arrest of the suspect earlier this year.
The sentences are to run concurrently, and the accused has also been found unfit to possess a firearm.
Warrant Officer MJ Masengemi from Ladysmith FCS conducted the investigation.
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