THE rapist step-grandfather (51) of a six-year-old girl was found guilty of rape and sentenced at Empangeni Regional Court to life in prison.
The man, who was reported to be the lover of the victim’s grandmother, raped the young girl at their house in Matshana in June last year.
According to police, the accused was caught in the act by a relative who had entered the house.
Community members were alerted and apparently assaulted the man before he managed to escape.
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A case of rape was opened at Empangeni Police Station and the matter was referred to Empangeni Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit.
Following a huge police manhunt, the perpetrator was later arrested at his workplace.
KZN Police Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Bheki Langa welcomed the sentence, saying it should be an example.
‘This will send a strong warning to the would-be criminals who think of committing the same crime and abusing vulnerable children.
‘I further thank the community members who came and assisted the victim but I discourage them from taking the law into their own hands,’ he said.
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