THE Empangeni Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit continues to secure strong convictions, living up to their reputation of being an award-winning FCS unit in the country.
Of the 18 cases investigated by the unit this year alone, they have managed to secure 18 convictions, which include a number of life sentences for rape as well as other minor crimes – something that Empangeni FCS Unit Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Makhosi Ncube, is extremely proud of.
‘It is through the dedication and passion of the FCS members that we have been able to put these rapists and criminals behind bars.
‘We will continue to commit ourselves to ensuring that women and children within the King Cetshwayo District are safe.
‘We urge women and children to come forward and report rape cases so we can conduct the necessary investigations and ensure that these rapists receive the proper convictions.’
In the past two weeks, three men accused for rape were convicted and sentenced to imprisonment, including two others for petty crimes.
The Empangeni Regional Court last week convicted and sentenced three accused for attacking and raping two women in the Empangeni area last year.
Sibusiso ‘Mantusha’ Mbambo (18) was sentenced to 36 years on two counts of rape and two months for theft.
Stoney Gwinyitshe Bulunga (23) was sentenced to 12 months for receiving stolen property and Njabulo Freedom Ntshingila (22) to three years imprisonment for theft and two months for common assault.
PHOTO: Orrin Singh
Attack
On 7 April last year two victims aged 16 and 30 years were sleeping in their house in Empangeni when they were attacked by the accused.
The 16-year-old was taken away to nearby bushes where she was raped by Mbambo.
She was brought back and the second victim was also raped by Mbambo.
Cellphones belonging to the victims were taken.
On Monday a 23-year-old accused was found guilty of raping his niece and was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment in the Empangeni Regional Court.
On 16 December 2015, an eight-year-old girl was watching television at her home in Matshana when her uncle grabbed her, took her into his room and raped her.
In the eSikhaleni Magistrate’s Court on Monday, Kumbhulani Vundla (35) was convicted for rape of a five-year-old girl and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment.
Lieutenant Colonel Ncube told the ZO that they are currently preparing for another major case.
‘In November the case against suspected serial rapist Mhlonipheni Sibonelo Mjadi (25) will be heard at the Mtubatuba High Court.
‘We hope to secure a conviction in this case as the accused will be judged on 34 counts, including 17 counts of rape as well other offences of house robbery and kidnapping,’ she said.
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