A 27-year-old man has been sentenced to a collective 26 year imprisonment by the Centane Regional Court for raping his 85-year-old relative, theft and housebreaking.
Lunga Solani was handed down a 20-year sentence for rape, three years for theft, and three years for housebreaking, said National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Luxolo Tyali.
“Solani pleaded guilty to housebreaking and theft but not guilty to rape, which necessitated the state to lead the evidence of the single witness, the victim,” said Tyali.
“The victim explained that Solani had forced her into her bedroom before continuing to rape her. He severely assaulted her with a stick, strangled and bashed her against the wall.”
Prosecutor Siyabonga Manase submitted a J88 report, which showed infliction of grievous bodily harm to the elderly victim, that informed him to invoke provisions of section 51(1) Act 105/1997, seeking life imprisonment, Tyali added.
“Notwithstanding Manase’s prayers for life imprisonment, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) believes that this sentence serves as the desired deterrent to those who would be perpetrators of Gender Based Violence against their vulnerable relatives.”
