Media Statement from Eastern Cape Media Centre
Corporate Communication
South African Police Service

10 April 2014

BUTTERWORTH - 51 year old Vukile Khethwa was found guilty by the Willowvale Magistrates' Court on Wednesday 09 April 2014 for raping a disabled girl. It is alleged that the accused called the then 13 year old girl who was following her granny on 09 May 2012 at about 16h00 at Mende Location Lurwayizo Villge Willowvale. The granny did not notice that the victim was following her as she was called by the accused. It is alleged that the victim who cannot speak and is having a problem in walking properly was called into a stock kraal where she was raped.

A young boy who was collecting goats to the stock kraal noticed the accused raping the victim and alerted the elders. Noticing that he the (accused) was seen by this young boy, he fled the scene, leaving the victim inside the stock kraal. The accused who was 48 at the time was arrested and appeared at Willowvale Magistrates' Court.

The 51 year-old suspect, Vukile Khethwa was convicted by the Willowvale Magistrates' Court on Wednesday 09 April 2014 for raping a 15 year old girl who was 13 years old at the time of the incident. He was sentenced to life imprisonment.

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Media Enquiries:

Captain Jackson Manatha
Mobile: 082 411 4993
Corporate Communication
Butterworth Police

Photo caption: Left - Butterworth FCS Commander Captain Zandisile Makhupula congratulates the Investigating Officer of the case, Detective Constable Xolile Ponono