41-year-old sentenced to 12 years for rape
The suspect dragged the woman into open veld, where she was assaulted and raped
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41-year-old Mlondo Joseph was recently sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment in the Ladysmith Regional Court for raping a 51-year-old woman.
At about 8pm one night in December last year, the elderly woman was walking home from a shop in Rookdale, Bergville, when she was accosted by the suspect. She was dragged into open veld, where she was assaulted and raped.
Passersby heard screams for help and went to investigate. When they arrived, the suspect fled the scene.
The accused was traced and arrested two days later.
The case was investigated by the Ladysmith Family Violence, Child Protection & Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit.
The perpetrator made several court appearances before his conviction.
Major General Bheki Langa, Acting KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner, applauded the police on a job well done.
“When police and the community work together, the crime rate in our province will decrease,” said Major General Langa.
He concluded that people should not walk alone, but rather have close friends or family members to accompany them for safety.
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