Umlazi rapist gets 23-year prison sentence

Durban - A 33-year-old man was convicted and sentenced by the Umlazi Regional Court for rape, kidnapping and intent to do grievous bodily harm on Monday.

Samkelo Khumalo was sentenced to 15 years for rape, five years for kidnapping, and three years for assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, Durban police spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbhele said on Wednesday.

KwaZulu-Natal acting provincial commissioner, Major General Bheki Langa, said: "This will serve as a warning to those who terrorise women and children in our province. I further commended the unit for the speedy arrest of the accused." 

Khumalo was arrested for raping a 31-year-old woman in Umlazi in 2016.

"[T]he victim was at H section informal settlement, Umlazi when she was approached by the accused.

"She was forced into his house, where she was assaulted and raped," said Mbhele.