Siphelele Nketo
THE Magistrate’s Court in Tlokoeng, formerly known as Mount Fletcher, recently imposed a life sentence on a man (34) for raping a disabled woman (23). On December 26, 2021, the victim was on her way to fetch water in the Mahlathini area when she was approached by the suspect along the road. She was dragged to the suspect’s home where she was raped. A case of rape was later opened with the police. However, due to the challenge posed by the victim’s disability, police detectives had to be assisted by a family member and psychologist to gain a statement from the victim, who was unable to speak. That statement led to the arrest of the suspect on January 5, 2022.
During the court appearance, the suspect was granted bail while waiting for DNA results. But the case was later struck off the roll pending the DNA results.
When the DNA results were received, linking the suspect to the crime, the case was reinstated in 2026 and the suspect was remanded into custody during his trial until he was sentenced.
