THE trauma suffered by a 13-year-old Mandlankala girl as she and her mother both became rape victims was re-lived in the eSikhawini Regional Court this week.
The brutal acts, which took place in March 2008, led to Sthembiso Khumalo being punished with a 40-year prison sentence.
He had been arrested in 2012, after a long search by the police and charged with two counts of rape and one of attempted murder.
The young victim told the court that she was asked by her mother to cook at the neighbour’s house because they did not have electricity.
‘When I got there Khumalo, a near neighbour, was standing in the corner and asked me to come to him, but I refused.
‘He than dragged me to the forest and sexually assaulted me.
‘A few minutes later, he raped me again and threatened to kill me if I told anyone,’ said the victim.
During the trial, her mother revealed that after the rape incident, the victim reported the matter to her and later to the Community Policing Forum.
‘A meeting between the CPF and two families was called, but they did not come. I then reported the matter to eSikhawini SAPS,’ said the mother.
It was further reported that when a certain Captain Mbuyisa went to Khumalo’s house, the suspect went to his room, took a bush-knife and attacked the victim’s mother, who later fought for her life in Ngwelezana Hospital.
It was also reported that Capt Mbuyisa was not carrying a police weapon and fled the scene while Khumalo was attacking the mother.
The offender will serve 25 years for rape five years for the attempted murder.
