KAROO NEWS - Sindile Habana (20) was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment on 13 November, for the rape of a 12-year-old boy.

Habana was sentenced in the Somerset East Regional Court, where the court heard that he had taken the victim to his (Habana’s) home on a farm in the Somerset East District. There, he raped the boy several times.

According to Capt Bradley Rawlinson, spokesperson for the policing district, a case of rape was registered at the Somerset East Police Station on 5 January 2017. 

“The boy’s parents suspected that something had happened and took the boy to a clinic [to be examined],” said Rawlinson. The case was later handed over to the Graaff-Reinet Family, Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS).

Habana was traced and arrested on 6 January 2017. During the investigations, it became evident that people questioned with regards to the case had given false statements. According to Rawlinson, cases have been opened and the matter is under investigation.

Capt Theo can Zyl, commander of the FCS unit, praised Det W/O Apolis Gregory-Earl Hufkie for ensuring that the suspect remained in custody throughout the trial. 

“He opposed bail against the accused and gave a good account of himself throughout the investigation,” said Van Zyl. He added that Hufkie stated that the sentence handed to Habana should be a warning to potential perpetrators of gender-based violence against women and children.

“These are serious crimes and the FCS will investigate every case,” concluded Van Zyl. “No one is above the law.”

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