South-African rapi**st jailed for life

DURBAN – A 40-year-old man has been convicted and sentenced to life behind bars by the Umlazi Regional Court for raping a seven-year-old relative, police said on Tuesday.

Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Thulani Zwane said the man had started raping the little girl back in April 2012.

Zwane said the mother of the victim found out about the rape after she wanted to inspect her daughter’s virginity for safety reasons.

It was then that the seven-year-old girl informed her that she had been raped by the accused several times.

“The victim told her mother that the accused, who is a relative, raped her on several occasions and she could not recall how many times at her home,” Zwane said.

Zwane said a case of rape was opened at Amanzimtoti police station and the docket was transferred to Umlazi Family Violence, Child Protection and Family Unit for further investigation that led to the arrest of the accused.

“The accused appeared several times in court before he was convicted and sentenced,” Zwane said.

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Mxolisi Kaunda, welcomed the sentence, saying: “We have no doubt that this court decision and the good work done by the police will, once again, send a clear message to rapists that the long arm of law will always catch up with them.

“The Government and the police have prioritised crimes against children and the women.

“We note that this sentencing happens at the time when we are observing women’s month.

“Indeed, men are supposed to protect and take care for women not to abuse or destroy them,” said Kaunda.

Africa News Agency