DURBAN: On 20 and 21 September 2021, two accused appeared at the Esikhaleni Regional Court for rape and were convicted and sentenced.

On 07 October 2018, a 16-year-old female victim was at her mother’s home at Esikhaleni with her siblings watching a movie. She fell asleep and when she woke up she noticed that her stepfather was awake lying next to her. The victim went to sleep in her room and her stepfather followed her. He overpowered and raped her. She screamed for help and informed her sister of what had happened. The case was opened at Esikhaleni SAPS. The 36-year-old stepfather was arrested. He made several court appearances until he was found guilty and sentenced to 16 years imprisonment on 21 September 2021.

In another incident, on the 11 December 2019, a seven-year-old girl was visiting her granny’s house in Esikhaleni when her 19-year-old cousin raped her. The victim was watching television when her cousin called her into his room and raped her. The young girl informed her family and a rape case was opened at Esikhaleni police station. The accused was arrested and appeared in court where he was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment on 20 September 2021.

Both cases were investigated by Empangeni Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit who worked tirelessly to secure the convictions in court.

Source: South African Police Service