Two Mbizana rapists of minors jailed

TWO Mbizana men have been sentenced to lengthy jail terms after being found guilty of raping two minors during two separate incidents last year.

EmaXesibeni police cluster spokeswoman Captain Edith Mjoko said Steve Qalaba, 34, was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Mbizana Magistrate’s Court on Friday for raping his 13-year-old niece in April last year.

The incident took place in Siwisa village.

Qalaba had denied raping his niece, claiming he had gone out, leaving her watching TV. He later changed his plea after a DNA sample taken from the victim linked him to the rape.

● Thobani Mkhize, 27, was sentenced to 13 years in jail by Mbizana Magistrate’s Court for raping a 12-year-old girl from Dungu village in November last year.

Both victim and accused live in the same village.

“The victim lived with her mother and the accused arrived while her mother had gone out. He asked the little girl to accompany him to the shops but then on the way told her they had to fetch something from his home.”

Mjoko said upon arriving at his home around 7pm, Mkhize, however, had told the girl that he wanted to make her his wife. She refused and started crying.

He then raped her before taking her to her own home and leaving her at the gate.

“She told her mother and the police were phoned.”

Mjoko said he admitted to raping the girl and was charged with rape. —