Rapist sentenced to life in prison

Sizwe Bhengu (27) was sentenced by the Nkandla Regional Court on Friday to life imprisonment for rape and one-year imprisonment for robbery.

The female victim had been out jogging when Bhengu ran behind her and threatened her with a knife, asking for her cell phone.

Then he dragged her into a bush, where he strangled her and raped her at knifepoint.

Security guards at nearby premises witnessed Bhengu dragging the woman into the bushes and called the police.

The woman was then rescued by the guards and police, and Bhengu was caught in the bushes.

During court proceedings, Regional Court Prosecutor Philile Shilenge led with evidence of the woman, and the testimonies of the police officials were also presented in court.

A victim impact statement had also been submitted, facilitated by Court Preparation Officer, Amanda Pretty Nxumalo.

In the victim’s statement, she stated how the incident has severely affected all aspects of her life and that she is afraid to go out, especially in the evening as she is fearful of another attack.

The Court ordered Bhengu’s name to be entered in the national register for sex offenders and to be declared unfit to possess a firearm.

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