Empangeni rapist sentenced to 30 years behind bars

A 37-YEAR-OLD man has been found guilty of rape and robbery and sentenced to 30 years in prison.

Vusi Jele’s sentence was handed down in the Empangeni Regional Court.

According to a police statement, Jele raped a 27-year-old woman in Madlazini near Empangeni in December 2011.

‘The accused entered the victim’s bedroom and threatened her with a screwdriver,’ said KZN police spokesperson, Major Thulani Zwane.

‘He demanded her cellphones and raped her.’

The Empangeni Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit investigated.

The unit arranged for the victim to receive counselling at the Thuzela Centre, and while travelling to the centre she happened to notice the culprit on the side of the road and he was arrested.