A KWAMAKHUTHA rapist was sentenced to life in prison by the Umlazi Regional Court on Thursday, 20 July.
He was given another six years for attempted murder.
The accused (43) was convicted and sentenced after the court heard how he raped and attempted to kill his victim in the KwaMakhutha area.
On 15 August, 2015 the victim, who was 11-years-old at the time, was in the Ezimbokodeni area of KwaMakhutha when she was called by her uncle to his house. He promised to give her snowball cakes. While she was in the house with the uncle, he raped her and stabbed her several times, attempting to kill her.
A community member who was walking past the house heard the child crying and went to assist. He kicked the door opened and rescued the child. The accused fled the scene and went into hiding.
A case of rape and attempted murder was opened at KwaMakhutha police station before the Umlazi family violence, child protection and sexual offences unit took over the investigation.
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In March this year, police received information that the accused was back in the area and he was traced and arrested, before being charged with rape and attempted murder.
Within four months of his arrest, the case was finalised at Umlazi Regional Court, where he pleaded guilty and was convicted.
KZN acting provincial commissioner, Major General Bheki Langa welcomed the sentence handed down to the accused.
“This will serve as a warning to other would-be rapists who commit such crimes in the province. I thank the community member who rescued the child from the accused. Our specialised FCS members investigated the case and presented enough evidence at court that led to the conviction of the accused,” he said.
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