The Centane Regional Court has sentenced 29-year-old Melisizwe Mtshatsheni to life imprisonment for raping a 14-year-old girl at Qoboqobo village in Centane.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Luxolo Tyali said that Mtshatsheni admitted to having lured the young girl, who knew him from their neighbourhood to his home on the evening of April 16, last year.
“The victim’s 12-year-old brother became suspicious and followed them. When he arrived at Mtshatsheni’s home, he ordered him (victim’s brother) to leave but he refused. That did not stop him from dragging the teenager into his bedroom, locking the door, playing loud music, and continuing to rape her,” said Tyali.
Tyali added that when the two siblings got home, they reported the incident to their parents, and Mtshatsheni was subsequently arrested.
Mtshatsheni pleaded guilty to committing the offence. However, Prosecutor, Siyabonga Manase argued that Mtshatsheni’s guilty plea was not a sign of remorse but regret.
“The should not deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence, especially because the traumatic experience was suffered by two people, the victim, and her brother. Rape is very prevalent in the country and deserves the harshest sentence,” said Manase.
Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecution, Barry Madolo, commended Manase and the investigating team for ensuring that justice is served for the victims of Gender Based Violence.
