The Ulundi Regional Court in KwaZulu Natal (KZN) ensured that justice was duly served when rapist Simphiwe Mthethwa (27) was sentenced to two terms of life imprisonment this week.

According to KZN police spokesman Robert Netshiunda on the evening of 19 October 2021, a 15-year-old girl was washing dishes at her grandmother's place at Ezihlabeni when her cousin Simphiwe, started touching her inappropriately, telling her how much he loved her. "The girl declined the love proposal and reminded him that they were cousins. "Simphiwe did not take no for an answer and he forced himself on her, threatening to kill her if she screamed. Simphiwe was later arrested and the meticulous investigation by the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) condemned him to jail for the rest of his life."

In a separate incident, a 26-year-old Axolile Tamela, was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Kokstad Regional Court in Eastern Cape for the rape of a 13-year-old girl in the Shayamoya area.  On the evening of 12 July last year, the victim's mother was worried when she could not find her child inside the room. 

"She came across Axolile, her landlord, who claimed not to know the whereabouts of the girl.Moments later the 13-year-old was found with her underwear in her hand and she spoke of her rape ordeal at the hands of Axolile, who had dragged her into his room. He was arrested and police's investigative prowess sent him to jail for good.