DURBAN - Two KwaZulu-Natal men received life sentences for the rape of three minor girls in two separate cases.
The Durban Regional Court sentenced Sanele Robert Mhlongo, 44, on May 26, 2021, to life imprisonment for the rape of a seven-year-old girl while a 26-year-old man from Nseleni was handed a double life sentence by the Empangeni Regional Court for the rape of two minor girls.
In a statement on Thursday, police spokesperson Captain Nqobile Gwala said Mhlongo was sentenced after the court heard how he brutally raped a seven-year-old girl on April 3, 2017.
Gwala said the child was raped in Chesterville.
“The little girl was playing when she was called by the accused into his room. He forced the child into the house and raped her,”she said.
A concerned neighbour saw the child exiting Mhlongo’s house and informed her mother, she said.
“The little girl was questioned and informed her mother that she was raped by Mhlongo,”said Gwala.
A case of rape was opened at Cato Manor SAPS. The docket was transferred to Brighton Beach Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit who took over the investigation.
Gwala said the court declared Mhlongo unfit to possess a firearm and his name was added to the Sexual Offenders register.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said the man from Nseleni was handed a double life sentence for the rape of two minor girls, aged 10 and 11, between 2016 and 2018.
“One of the victims was his niece while the other was a neighbour’s child who often came over to play with his niece,” said provincial NPA spokesperson Natasha Kara.
Kara said the man lived on the same property as his niece and had raped her after he called her into his room.
She said the other child was raped on different occasions.
“Neither of them reported the rapes as he had threatened to harm them and their families if they did so,” said Kara.
Regional Court Prosecutor Sharon Bux led the testimonies of both the victims.
The court also heard evidence from a woman who had conducted virginity testing and a medical doctor also testified for the State.
Kara said the prosecutor handed in Victim Impact Statements compiled by the victims and facilitated by the Court Preparation Officer, Seneliso Sibanda.
“One victim said that she is still traumatised by the incident and struggles to sleep at night. She is always scared to be alone. She said that she struggles to concentrate at school and this has affected her studies.
“The other victim said that she felt dirty and ashamed. She wishes she could start life afresh, without having this experience. She is afraid of men and doesn’t trust them,” she said.
The court declared the 26-year-old unfit to possess a firearm license and ordered that his personal particulars be entered into the National Register of Sex Offenders.
THE MERCURY