GUILTY!
An attempt by three rapists to revoke their guilty verdict handed down in 2013, failed in the eSikhawini Regional Magistrate’s Court on Thursday when the verdict was upheld.
Siyathokoza Cezu Masinga (30), Mxolisi Raymond Mthembu (25) and Sbusiso Sphiwe Kunene (29) were sentenced to life imprisonment by Magistrate TS Ngesi four years ago.
They were arrested and charged with rape and two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstance after they gang-raped a 24-year-old woman inside a hostel room in April 2012.
During both trials the courts heard the victim was walking in the Somash passageway next to the eSikhaweni mall with her male friend when the trio accosted them.
They produced firearms and robbed her of her money before ordering her to go with them to a room at Grinaker Hostel.
They assaulted the woman’s male friend who was left with one of the perpetrators.
The victim testified she was threatened with a knife, after which they raped her repeatedly inside the room.
The attackers were arrested after her friend later recognised them and provided the police with their residential addresses.
Unsatisfied with the first verdict, the trio applied for leave to the appeal in the Pietermaritzburg High Court and the matter was set for retrial at the eSikhawini Regional Magistrate’s Court.
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