A 20-year-old KwaZulu-Natal woman has been sentenced to 11 years behind bars for raping a 16-year-old boy.
Provincial police spokesman Colonel Jay Naicker on Monday said the Esikhawini Regional Court convicted Nontobeko Gwala of rape and assault on Friday.
“This is after she was accused of raping a 16-year-old boy on June 17. Another child who witnessed the rape was assaulted by the suspect. The two victims informed their elders of the incident and a case of rape and assault was opened at the Mtunzini police station for investigation‚” he said.
The Empangeni Family Violence‚ Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units investigated and arrested Gwala on the same day of the incident.
The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner‚ Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni commended the police for the arrest and the sentence.
“We would like to send a clear message to all sexual predators that the law will take its course. It is disappointing that a woman would be accused of such a crime however the public must be aware that we will investigate all cases in a firm manner irrespective of who the perpetrators are‚” she said.