Three men were sentenced to 18 years direct imprisonment on Monday, 4 December for a rape incident that took place five years ago.
The victim was 16 years old at the time was gang raped in a vehicle at a tavern in Morgenzon. It was heard in court that Sikhumbuzo Jacob Hlophe (38), Thokozani David Hlophe (28) and Thokozane Obert Zwane (30) raped the victim in December 2018. They were arrested on the same day of the incident.
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They were found guilty and sentenced to 18 years of direct imprisonment each by the Secunda Regional Court.
The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela welcomed the sentence and commended the members’ quick response as well as the exceptional investigation which led to the sentence.
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“The sentence came at the time when the world has embarked on 16 days of activism for no violence against women and children. The sentence should serve as a deterrence and lesson for community members to refrain from any form of abuse,” said the General.
