As night falls, residents often go about unwinding and relaxing from a long day at work or school. However, there are those who lurk in the shadows of society, using darkness as a tool to prey on their unsuspecting victims.
On February 27, five young adults were sleeping in their rental home in Madadeni. As learners from Majuba TVET College Madadeni Campus, the youngsters felt secure in their environment, surrounded by trusted friends.
However, two men broke into the house and went into the learners’ rooms. Their intentions shattering the learners’ peaceful night’s sleep.
Four of the victims were robbed of their cash and cellphones. When one of the victims told the criminals, she did not have money on her, one of the villainous fiends stabbed her in the thigh, before dragging her into an unoccupied room and raping her.
Following the rape, the masked men packed their clothes and the stolen items into their travel bag, before fleeing.
Opening a case at the SAPS, the victims waited for justice to prevail. The docket was given to Sergeant TP Mdluli from Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit, who immediately began investigating the case.
On March 26, she arrested the first suspect in Madadeni, Section 5. Following the arrest, Sergeant Mdluli and her colleagues, Captain Moothilal, Sergeant Mthimkhulu and Constable Mbatha travelled to Volksrust, where the second suspect was hiding. He was consequently arrested, and all the stolen property was recovered.
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At Pietermaritzburg High Court, the two suspects pleaded guilty and were thereafter found guilty as charged. They were convicted and sentenced on April 17 as follows:
Accused number one – Sanele Khumalo is sentenced to five years imprisonment on charges of housebreaking, with a further 15 years imprisonment for charges of robbery under aggravating circumstances. In total, he has been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment.
Accused number two – Mandlenkosi Manana was sentenced to five years for housebreaking, with another 15 years for robbery under aggravating circumstances and a further 15 years for rape. In total, he was sentenced to 35 years imprisonment.
With Sergeant Mdluli managing to track down the two perpetrators and seeing the case through in a span of under three months, the SAPS is sending a clear message to the criminal element. No longer will criminals be able to hide from the consequences of their actions.
Amajuba Acting Cluster Commander Brigadier Sumayela commends Sergeant Mdluli for her exceptional work.
Well done to Sergeant Mdluli and her colleagues for ensuring justice prevails.
Also read: FCS Unit closes rape case following year long investigation
