| 2024/04/30 |
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Media Statement
POLOKWANE – Polokwane High Court handed down a hefty sentencing of forty years, to David Zamikhaya Mbungendlu, aged 23, after being found guilty on housebreaking with the intent to steal and theft, robbery aggravated and rape. The case was finalised on Monday, 29 April 2024. Polokwane High Court; noted that on Friday 02, December 2022 at about 03:30, the accused forced open a window and gained entry to the house. The victim, a 76-year-old woman was in the bathroom when she found the accused in her room. He demanded money, and she gave him a handbag. After searching the handbag, he found R400. He took it and forcefully pushed the victim onto the bed, strangled her, and raped her. The accused demanded house keys before fleeing the scene. The incident was reported to the police, and a case of housebreaking with intent to steal and theft, robbery aggravated and rape was opened at Vaalwater SAPS. The case was transferred to Modimolle Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offenses, in October 2023 and Warrant Officer Frances Kruger was assigned to investigate the case, and she ensured that justice was served after a thorough investigation. Through Intelligence driven operation, and Modimolle flying squad the accused was traced and arrested on Friday 17, November 2023 at his residence in Vaalwater, Warrant Officer Kruger opposed bail and the accused remained in custody until he was convicted and sentenced as follows: Count 1: Housebreaking with the intent to steal and theft: the accused was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment. Count 2: Robbery aggravated; the accused was sentenced to five years imprisonment. Count 3: Rape; the accused was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment. Counts 1 and 2 will run concurrently with count 3. 5 years suspended, effective 20 years imprisonment. The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, applauded the investigating officer, Warrant Officer Frances Kruger, and her team for all the hard work that resulted in the hefty sentence.
“This sentence should serve as a deterrent to others that the arm of the law is long and the perpetrator of gender-based violence has no space in our society,” said General Thembi Hadebe.
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