Durban - A man was sentenced to life behind bars in the Greytown Regional Court on Thursday for the rape of a 14-year-old mentally disabled girl.
The brutal attack took place in rural Msinga in December 2011, according to police spokesperson Major Thulani Zwane.
“The victim was walking on the road with two other children when they were accosted by the accused. He grabbed her from behind and chased the children away by throwing stones at them.
“Then he dragged the victim to the bushes where he assaulted and raped her repeatedly. He fled, leaving the terrified victim inside the bushes that night,” Zwane said.
Zwane added that the children had raised the alarm, telling their mother what had happened.
“Their mother informed the police and a search to find the victim was conducted. She was found in the bushes and a case of rape was opened at the Msinga police station. Greytown Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit took over the investigation. The accused fled the area when he heard that police were looking for him.”
Two years later, the suspects whereabouts became known, he was arrested and charged.
"He was kept in custody throughout his trial. He received life imprisonment after his DNA samples were positively compared with those found on the victim,” Zwane said.
KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni, commended Greytown FCS for their persistence in getting the rapist behind bars.