The Ermelo Regional Court sentenced Siyabonga Thempeli Shabangu (23) and Simphiwe Sibusiso Khumalo (18) of KwaMabuza Farm in Ermelo on various counts of rape and robbery with aggravating circumstance.
Shabangu was convicted of rape and robbery with aggravating circumstances and Khumalo was convicted of robbery with aggravating circumstances.
Ms Monica Nyuswa, Regional Spokesman of Directors of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Mpumalanga,said: “The victim was walking with her boyfriend in Extension 1, Wesselton in December 2018.
“They came across Shabangu and Khumalo.
“Shabangu pointed a gun at them and Khumalo threatened them with a knife.
“The boyfriend ran away, leaving the girlfriend behind.
“Khumalo robbed the woman R2 500 cash and her cell phone.”
According to a statement, Shabangu dragged the victim to a bush at the cemetery and raped her three times.
While Shabangu was busy raping her, he heard people talking and took her to another location where he tried to rape her using a piece of plastic as a condom.
“He took her to a stream nearby and ordered her to wash herself, then fled the scene.”
Fortunately a passerby spotted the victim and took her to her parental home.
The victim told her mother about the incident.
She was able to identify Khumalo and Shabangu to the police.
Read the complete article in the Highvelder.
