DURBAN – The Durban Regional Court sentenced Sanele Robert Mhlongo (44) to life imprisonment for rape. He was sentenced on 26 May 2021. His sentence came after the court heard how he raped a seven-year-old girl.

On 3 April 2017, a seven-year-old girl was raped by a known suspect. The little girl was playing when she was called by the accused into his room. He forced the child into the house and raped her. One of the concerned neighbour saw the child coming out of the accused’s house and alerted the mother. The little girl was questioned and informed the mother that she was raped by Mhlongo.

A case of rape was opened at Cato Manor SAPS. The docket was transferred to Brighton Beach Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit who took over the investigation. The accused was placed under arrest and was tried in court. A well-presented docket led to the successful conviction and sentence of the accused. He was declared unfit to possess a firearm. His name was also put on the Sexual Offenders register.

Source: South African Police Service