Man jailed for statutory rape of ‘girlfriend’

A court in KZN has sentenced a 42-year-old man to 10 years imprisonment for the statutory rape of a 15-year-old girl.

Durban - A court in KwaZulu-Natal has sentenced a 42-year-old man to 10 years imprisonment for the statutory rape of a 15-year-old girl.

Police spokesperson Lieutenant Nqobile Gwala said that the Esikhaleni Regional Court convicted and sentenced the man on Wednesday.

“It is alleged that on 26 April 2015, at Esikhaleni, a 15-year-old girl was said to be dating the accused and went to visit him. The mother of the victim noticed that her daughter never came back home for two days and when she came back the victim reported that she was with her boyfriend.

“The mother took the victim to the police station to report the case as her daughter was still young. A case of statutory rape was opened at Esikhaleni SAPS and transferred to Empangeni Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences Unit for further investigation,” Gwala said.

KwaZulu Natal Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni said: “We are happy with the sentence handed down as all minors are entitled to grow and not be put under duress to indulge in any form of abuse by adults. This will hopefully serve as a deterrent, especially during the festive season as most minors are on holidays.”

African News Agency

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