DURBAN – On 22 August 2022, the Greytown Regional Court convicted and sentenced Zakhele Ndlovu (57) for rape, sexual assault and kidnapping after the court heard how he kidnapped and raped an 18-year-old girl.

Between February and July 2019, an 18-year-old female who was residing with her aunt was forced to marry a 57-year-old man from her church. The aunt and the church elders had agreed to this union and the aunt accepted payment for the arrangement. She would allow the man to come to her house and have his way with the girl and when the girl complained she will be reminded that traditionally she belonged to the man.

When she realised that no one was willing to listen to her concerns, she attempted to kill herself on two occasions and her attempts were unsuccessful. She had nowhere to flee as both her parents were late. She decided to run away from her aunt’s house, but the man was well connected. He hired two men to track down his victim, she was caught and taken the accused’s house in Greytown where she was expected to continue with her marital duties. He attempted to rape her and she fought back. When he realised that it was not going to be easy to overpower her, she was taken to Matimatolo where she was handcuffed and raped repeatedly.

She was kept in a room for months and the community became suspicious when they heard her crying whenever this man was around. Police were alerted and they responded swiftly. The girl was rescued and charges of rape, sexual assault as well as kidnapping were opened. The matter was investigated by the Greytown Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit.

The accused became unpredictable and attempted to evade arrest by all means. On 6 August 2019, he handed himself over to the Greytown FCS Unit where he was arrested. During his trial he claimed insanity which could not be confirmed by a mental institution. He made several court appearances before he was sentenced to life imprisonment for rape, twelve years for sexual assault and an additional five years for kidnapping.

Source: South African Police Service