15 year conviction for Brighton Beach rapist

A MAN, accused of raping a 51-year-old woman and later returning her handbag, was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment through sterling work by seasoned detective, Travis Bouverie.

It is alleged that during November 2019, the victim, who resided in Mthwalume, was visiting her boyfriend who lived in Fynnlands. She was walking along Station Road, making her way to a friend’s house and, while walking past an abandoned structure near the Kingsrest Railway Station, she felt someone kicking her on the back of the legs. This resulted in her falling to the ground.

Communications officer of the Brighton Beach SAPS, Captain le Roux, said when the woman turned her head, it was then that she was able to identify her attacker, who was known to her.

“She was dragged by her clothes into the abandoned property. Here, she was violated while her attacker was choking her. She was able to break free from the hold her attacker had on her and she escaped. In haste, she left behind her handbag and sneakers. Her perpetrator had the audacity to approach her after the incident, returning her handbag that was left behind upon her fleeing the scene. He offered her financial remuneration for his wrong doing in the presence of witnesses. She refused to accept his offer,” said Le Roux.

The women opened a criminal case of rape against her perpetrator and Brighton Beach SAPS Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit’s (FCS) member, Detective Constable Travis Bouverie, was assigned as an investigator to the case. At the time of the case being assigned to him, he had been an FCS investigator for seven years. Bouverie had numerous challenges in finalising the matter, but he remained persistent in seeking justice for the victim.

Together with his colleague, Detective Sergeant Gugulethu Buthelezi, evidence from witnesses were obtained in far-reaching areas, which required them to travel as far as Gauteng. The case was also postponed on numerous occasions for further investigation. The 32-year-old perpetrator was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment in February and his personal information has also been recorded on the Sexual Offenders Register.

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Bouverie’s commander, Captain Roshini Inderh, who was recently promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and has left the FCS Unit, described Bouverie, who served under her command, as a strong and immensely dedicated police official who takes police work to a whole new level.

She added that the SAPS, and more especially the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit, will benefit from detectives of his caliber. “He has worked countless hours on this case to ensure justice for the victim, and the sentence imposed by the court is a testament of his determination. He is an asset to the community of Brighton Beach,” she said.

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