By OBAKENG MAJE
A man has been sentenced to six years by the Fraserburg Regional Court for statutory rape. Zwelitsha Mbongashe (25) was involved in a seven-months romantic relationship with a girl (15) between 1 August 2022 and 7 March 2023.
According to the Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam, Mbongashe impregnated the girl in the process.
“The accused had a seven-month intimate relationship with the victim, until health officials discovered that the victim was pregnant. So, based on her age, the matter was reported to the police.
“The accused was arrested and found guilty of statutory rape on 6 May 2024. He was sentenced to six years imprisonment, which was suspended for 5 years and he was declared unfit to possess a firearm. His name will also be recorded in the National Sexual Offenders Register,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, welcomed the sentence. Otola praised the Investigating Officer, Detective Constable Jacques Nielsen from the Calvinia Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit, for placing evidence before court that ensures the protection of children’s rights.
“An adult who is 18 years or older, is not allowed to date or have a sexual relationship with someone under the age of 16,” she said.
TaungDailyNews 