Man who gave child R5 after raping her sentenced to 18 years
A man who tried to buy his 8-year-old rape victim's silence with R5 has been sentenced to an effective 18 years in prison.
Lindelani Mbatha, 29, appeared in the Pietermaritzburg Regional Court for the crime committed in 2012, the police said on Monday.
Police spokesperson Major Thulani Zwane said the victim had gone to Mbatha’s room on the day of the rape to fetch food in the KwaXimba area.
"He closed the door; raped the victim and gave her R5. The victim did not reveal the incident until she was questioned by her mother for poor performance at school. The victim then revealed she [had] actually [been] raped twice by the accused on different occasions."
Zwane said a rape case was subsequently opened and the Pinetown Family Violence and Child Protection Unit took over the investigation.
"The victim was interviewed and made a strong presentation at court, [resulting] in a successful conviction..."
Provincial commissioner Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni commended the "work presented in court".