Nelspruit: The South African Police Service in Mpumalanga continue to work tirelessly in tackling issues of Gender-Based-Violence. Members from the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) at Kanyamazane are ready for a trial which resumes on Monday, 22 November 2021 at the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court in Mbombela.

The man at centre of the trial is Elvis Zulu, aged 38 who is facing multiple counts of rape charges as well as additional charges including robberies, assault, possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition, pointing with a firearm, and kidnapping. The charges are in relation to incidents which reportedly occurred between April 2011 and November 2014 around Pienaar and Kanyamazane areas outside Nelspruit. Thanks to the hard work by a team of investigators from Kanyamazane FCS which saw the incidents being probed where the suspect was cornered and arrested at Nelspruit CBD in November 2018. The suspect has previously appeared in court and the state successfully opposed his bail application therefore he has been in custody since then.

Meanwhile the FCS Unit from Witbank recently won two court cases at Emalahleni Regional Court on 11 November 2021. One of the cases was against a 53-year-old man who raped his niece, aged 10 at Vosman, near Witbank on 30 April 2017. The victim was threatened by the accused, indicating that he will kill both the girl and her mother. As a result, the girl feared for her life and kept quiet for about three months. Eventually the incident was later reported to police in Vosman in August 2017. After a thorough investigation was conducted by the Witbank FCS, the culprit was arrested and charged as such. Justice was served for the little girl as the uncle got sentenced to life imprisonment.

The second case won by the team of investigators from Witbank FCS was against Mandla William McDonnell, aged 55 who attempted to rape a 37-year-old woman in Vosman on 31 May 2020 but fortunately, neighbours came to her rescue before he could rape her.

The incident was also reported and investigated accordingly. McDonnell was later arrested and charged. He then went on trial and was convicted as well as sentenced to six years imprisonment on a charge of sexual assault.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela has acknowledged with appreciation the effort made thus far in the fight against Gender-Based-Violence within the province with the hope of a much safer environment for all.

Source: South African Police Service