Child Rapist Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison in Mpumalanga

Mpumalanga – The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Mpumalanga has expressed approval of the 25-year prison sentence handed down to a 48-year-old Mozambican man for the rape of a 15-year-old girl in Mangweni in 2021. The convict was found guilty of the crime and sentenced on October 26, 2023.

According to South Africa Police Service, the incident occurred in 2021 when the victim’s mother was away, receiving care at a relative’s place due to illness. The perpetrator, exploiting the situation, lured the girl to his house under the false pretext of giving her gifts. He then locked her inside his house and committed the assault multiple times throughout the night. The victim was only released the next morning.

The victim’s mother became suspicious when she noticed her daughter struggling to walk and appearing in pain. A medical examination at a local facility confirmed that the girl had been raped. Following this, the victim disclosed the details of the assault.

The case was reported and investigated by the Tonga Police Station, leading to the arrest and subsequent trial of the perpetrator. His conviction and sentencing have been hailed as a result of the collaborative efforts of the investigation team, the prosecution team, and the judiciary.

The SAPS leadership in Mpumalanga emphasized the importance of protecting children, who are viewed as the future of the country. They committed to ensuring the safety of children from such perpetrators, highlighting this sentence as a significant step in that direction.