| Two Ladysmith rapists sentenced | |
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| Date Published: | 2015/03/05 |
| Description Details: | |
Media Statement from KwaZulu Natal Media Centre Two men in a Ladysmith case of rape were convicted and sentenced by Ezakheni Regional Court to 21 years imprisonment. Ntokozo Prosperity Hlatshwayo (24) and Nkosingiphile Raphael Mvelase (38) were each sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for rape and one year imprisonment for robbery. Both accused were declared unfit to possess a firearm. The sentence stems from an incident which happened on 31 July 2013 at about 20:00 where a 22-year-old woman was standing in Illing Road, Ladysmith waiting for transport to take her to Steadville when two men robbed her and then dragged her to a shack situated behind Illing Road. Sadly members of the community saw the incident and did nothing to help the woman. After the woman failed to arrive in Steadville, her boyfriend went to Illing Road looking for her. Upon making enquiries he was told by people in the area that they had seen her being dragged off into the nearby shacks. The boyfriend and a friend went in search of the woman, calling out her name. The woman heard her boyfriend calling and managed to shout out to him before the suspects could silence her. The boyfriend kicked open the shack door and rescued her. They managed to apprehend the two suspects. Police arrived and the two were promptly arrested and remained in custody until their conviction and sentencing. The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni commended Ladysmith Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) for the effective conviction and sentencing of the accused. “Crimes against women and children will not be tolerated and will be dealt with in a stern manner. We highly praise the braveness of her boyfriend and his friend who managed to rescue the victim and did not take law into their own hands,” she said.
Media enquiries: Major Thulani Zwane- 071 683 6525 | |
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