A MAN found guilty on charges of rape and armed robbery with aggravated circumstances by the eShowe Regional Court, has been sentenced to 40 years behind bars on Monday.
Sibongiseni Xulu (22) was sentenced to 15 years for each of two armed robbery charges and 10 years for rape.
The court heard that on 2 July last year the rape victim was at her homestead in King Dinizulu township with her friend, preparing to go to another friend’s wedding.
When she went out to open the gate, she noticed Xulu leaning against the wall of her homestead.
When she screamed to alert others, Xulu drew a firearm and forced her and her friend into the car.
Other suspects emerged and they drove off to Kwa-Mondi, where the victim was pulled out of the vehicle. Xulu raped the woman in full view of her friend and his accomplices.
They were disturbed by an approaching vehicle and quickly took the women’s cellphones and cash before leaving the scene.
The victim and her friend stopped the vehicle and asked for help from the driver, who took them to a police station to open a case of rape and robbery.
Investigating officer, Constable Mxolisi Mngoma, worked tirelessly gathering evidence and managed to bring two suspects in for questioning and the collection of DNA samples.
Only Xulu was linked to the case through the DNA and fingerprints lifted at the scene of the crime.
He was denied bail and held in custody until his conviction.
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