Judge condemns police treatment of rape victim

DURBAN High Court Judge Esther Steyn criticised the manner in which rape victim Nomfundo Nduli was treated by the police after reporting her abusive boyfriend. She was forced to sit in the same police vehicle as the man she accused of rape.

“No diligent or well-trained police officer would have treated the complainant this way. She was asked to sit next to the alleged perpetrator shortly after his arrest, merely hours after she was allegedly raped,” the judge said.

These were some of the abusive incidents Nduli had endured between 2012 and 2013, when she was in a relationship with Dumisani Clement Ndlovu. Even after she broke up with him, he continued to harass her up to the point where he murdered a man who was trying to defend her.

On Friday, Judge Steyn convicted Ndlovu, 34, of murder, attempted murder, rape, two counts of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and robbery with aggravating circumstances. He was acquitted on theft and kidnapping charges.

The judge said the evidence led by the State proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. She said Ndlovu was an unconvincing witness and there was no doubt that he wanted to kill Nduli when he stabbed her.

“She was fortunate to have escaped the scene and received medical treatment,” Judge Steyn said.

The matter was adjourned to June 27 for sentencing. – Staff Reporter