KwaZulu-Natal – A man was given two life sentences in the Empangeni Regional Court for rape, KwaZulu-Natal police said on Saturday.

Mjabulo Nyawo, 27, was sentenced on Friday for raping a three and a nine-year-old, Colonel Vincent Mdunge said.

“On October 10, 2011, two girls from Mgazi area outside Empangeni were sent by their aunt to borrow a charger to their uncle’s neighbouring place.”

When the girls went into the man’s house he raped them.

“The accused sent them back home with a cellphone charger and the nine-year-old victim reported the matter to her aunt.”

Nyawo was arrested on November 26, 2011.

“This is a victory, not only for the SAPS, but for all vulnerable women and children in this country,” provincial police commissioner Lt-Gen Mmamonnye Ngobeni said.

“The court could not have passed a more fitting sentence and this will certainly send out a strong message to other criminals.” – Sapa