Malalane - A 23-year-old man was convicted by the Tonga Regional Court on Tuesday of raping an 80-year-old woman.
Leonard Moffett Nkuna, of Mdladla Trust east of Malalane, would be sentenced on Thursday, a Sapa correspondent reported.
He was arrested on September 15, 2012, and had pleaded not guilty to a charge of rape.
He was out on R1 000 bail, which was revoked after his conviction on Tuesday.
“After all the evidence presented during your trial I find you guilty, taking into consideration that other witnesses lied in court, but this one's testimony shows that you are the one who raped her on that night,” Magistrate Edgar Moletsane told him.
It was also revealed in court that Nkuna had two previous convictions.
“In 2007, you were convicted and sentenced to six months imprisonment for housebreaking and theft. In 2008, you were also convicted and sentenced to six months imprisonment or to pay a fine of R1 000 for a charge of animal cruelty,” said Moletsane.
During his trial, Nkuna told the court that he was surprised when the police and the victim arrived at his grandmother's home and arrested him for rape.
He told the court that during his arrest he was found sitting on a bed watching TV.
He said he was at his grandmother's house because he needed to charge his cellphone battery as there was no electricity at his parents' home.
On Tuesday, Nkuna shook his head as he was being convicted. He then requested to speak to his family and friends before being sent to prison.
Moletsane ignored his request and postponed the case to Thursday for sentencing.
Sapa