In a shocking incident, a 24-year-old foreign national was arrested in Sekhukhune for allegedly assaulting four minors. This news has left our community devastated.
The arrest came after one of the young victims managed to flee the scene and alert their family, leading to the swift involvement of the police.
Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the incident occurred on April 12, when four minor boys, aged between nine and 13, went to the suspect's spaza shop to buy snacks. The suspect allegedly attempted to sexually assault minors and then attempted to lure them with food. The minors declined the offer.
The suspect did not stop there. “The suspect took out a cellphone and displayed a pornographic video to them. One of the minor victims managed to rush home and inform his relatives about the incident.”
Ledwaba added that the incident was promptly reported at a local police station. “Police officers responded swiftly and rushed to the business premises and found a 24-year-old male suspect who was immediately placed under arrest. The gadget of the suspect was confiscated by police as part of the investigation.”
Ledwaba stated that the suspect appeared in the Nebo Magistrate's Court on Monday, where he faced charges of sexual assault. The case has been postponed to April 20 for further proceedings.
In a separate case in Ekurhuleni, justice has finally prevailed for an 18-year-old girl who was repeatedly raped when she was just nine years old.
According to Warrant Officer Majang Skalkie, the incident took place in March 2016 when the victim was walking to Tsakane Mal, Ekurhuleni, with a friend.
Thulani Sibeko allegedly followed them and called the girl over, asking her to buy a cigarette for him. When she returned, he handed her a toy and deceitfully claimed that her mother was waiting for her at his house, convincing her to go with him.
“Once at his residence, he raped her and subsequently continued to rape her the following day. After being released, the young girl courageously informed her grandmother about the incident, leading to the registration of a case for rape and kidnapping at the Tsakane Police Station.”
Skalkie added that Sibeko was convicted on two counts of rape and one count of kidnapping.
“For the first count of rape, Sibeko received a life sentence, with another life imprisonment term for the second count of rape and an additional ten years for the kidnapping charge,” said Skalkie.
In a statement, District Commissioner Major General Anna Sithole welcomed the sentencing and praised Sergeant Fikile Zitha of the Brakpan Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit for her outstanding dedication and commitment in ensuring justice was served for the young victim of this horrific crime.
“Zitha is an exemplary servant to the service, and her work not only brought justice to the victim but it fostered hope within our community,” said Sithole.
The Star
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