MAN SENTENCED FOR RAPE OF HIS MINOR NEIGHBOR
Mpumalanga: South Africa. The Boschfontein Regional Court has sentenced Mbongeni Andries Shongwe (43), to 20 years of direct imprisonment for raping his neighbour’s 10-year-old girl at Schoemansdal, in the district of Nkomazi. The incident happened on 03 March 2023, when the victim was playing with her friend in her neighbour’s yard. The accused emerged and took the victim to the back of his yard and raped her. He pleaded guilty to the charge. In his plea statement, he said he penetrated the victim and later withdrew as he felt sorry for his actions. Addressing the court to impose a prescribed minimum sentence, State Prosecutor Joshua Sibeko, stated that the accused should have protected the victim as she was his neighbour.
Sibeko further stated that there was overwhelming evidence against the accused as he was caught in the act by the victim’s friend. A J 88 medical report confirming the allegations levelled against the accused was presented and the victim impact statement prepared by Court Preparation Officer Lizzy Mhlongo, indicating that the victim is living in fear, afraid of the men and that her performance at school has dropped was also presented.
In handing down the judgement the court found that there were compelling circumstances justifying deviation from the prescribed sentence of life. It took into consideration that the accused pleaded guilty to the offence, that he did not waste the court’s time and that he is a first-time offender. Shongwe was sentenced to 20 years of direct imprisonment. The court ordered the accused name to be entered into the National Register for Sexual Offenders, was declared unfit to work with children and that the accused is obliged to inform any prospective employer about this conviction. Furthermore, an order to seize any firearm in his possession was issued.
The National Prosecuting Authority accepted the sentence imposed by the court and remained committed to vigorously prosecuting such crimes reaffirming its dedication.
