RAPE and sexual offences against women and children are rife in the Lower Umfolozi district, but police have slammed the cuffs on a good number last month.
KZN MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Willies Mchunu, applaud the SAP Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FSC) units for arresting 349 suspected offenders for sexually related crimes in April.
Suspects were booked on charges including kidnapping, assault, domestic violence, abduction, sexual assault, assault, robbery, attempted murder and rape.
The courts in turn slammed the bars on 51 convicts with six life sentences and 412 years imprisonment.
‘Once again our justice system has emerged victorious,’ Mchunu said.
‘We applaud the decisions of the courts as it sends a clear message to criminals that they do not have a place in our society.
‘I welcome the swift sentences that have been meted out and I am sure others who think of committing these crimes will think twice.’
The MEC commended police and prosecutors for bringing suspects to justice with speed and swiftness and urged them to continue with the good work.
Elders on trial
Locally, two elderly men aged 84 and 76 are appearing in the Richards Bay District court on charges of rape.
The 76-year-old allegedly picked up young boys in Mzingazi and paid them for sexual favours.
Their names are being withheld until they have formally entered pleas.
In another case, two minors aged 15 and 14 have been convicted of rape in the Richards Bay Regional Court and sentenced to 24 months correctional supervision.
The trial of 22-year-old Sipho Mpanza, 20-year-old Mzwandile Ntuli and Thusi Ntuli, continued this week.
The accused, all of Gingindlovu, are charged with armed robbery, rape and kidnapping of a 25-year-old female from the area on 16 March 2013.
The trial is ongoing.
