On November 13, the Somerset East Regional Court convicted
and sentenced a 20-year-old man for the rape of a 12-year-old-boy.
According to police spokesperson Captain Bradley Rawlinson,
it is alleged that the victim was taken to the residence of the suspect on a
farm in the Somerset East District, where the victim was raped several
times.
Rawlinson said a case of rape was registered at Somerset
East Police Station on January 5, 2017 and the case was handed over to
Somerset East Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS)
after the victim’s parents became suspicious and took the victim to a clinic in
Somerset East.
“The accused Sindile Habana was traced and arrested on
January 6, 2017,” said Rawlinson.
“Habana was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment
by the Somerset East Regional Court on November 13, 2020.”
Captain Theo van Zyl, Commander of Graaff-Reinet Family violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offenses Unit, mentioned that Detective Warrant Officer Apolis Gregory-Earl Hufkie made sure
that the suspect remained in custody throughout the trial until the sentencing.
“His hard work and dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed when
opposing bail against the accused. He gave a good account of himself throughout
investigation and that the sentence handed to the accused should be a deterrent
to potential perpetrators of gender-based violence against women and children,” said Van Zyl.
