Port Elizabeth - The Butterworth Regional Court in the Eastern Cape sentenced Thukela Myekeni to 25 years imprisonment for the rape of a six-year old girl, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said on Wednesday.
NPA regional spokesperson, Luxolo Tyali, said the 25-year old man was sentenced on Tuesday.
According to evidence presented before court, during October 2015, the six-year old girl was playing with her seven-year-old brother and Myekeni's five-year-old brother at the rapist's home in Mchubakazi Township in the district of Butterworth.
The rapist gave the two young boys R2 to go buy him a cigarette at a nearby Spaza Shop. While the boys were away, he dragged the toddler to his room and raped her.
"An adult woman who was lodging at Thukela’s homestead walked in on the rapist while in the act and she immediately alerted the parents of the [girl]. The infant was taken to Butterworth Thuthuzela Care Centre where the doctor confirmed that she had been raped. Thukela was arrested after community members apprehended him," said Tyali.
At trial he pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. Tyali said that regional court prosecutor, Luyanda Gobingca, led evidence a neighbour who caught the rapist red-handed, and presented DNA results which linked the man to the crime.