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By Jade Mthombeni
Police spokesman Constable Ridgewel Rikhotso told Giyani View that Thabo Maluleke (31) from Nkurhi Sefasonke Village outside Giyani who raped his mental disabled neighbour was convicted accordingly.
Rikhotso was responding to a growing call that Maluleke’s arrest was orchestrated.
His family said they would appeal his sentence. Maluleke was convicted of rape by the Giyani Regional Court on Monday and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Some residents who spoke to Giyani View said that the victim has two children, and those who impregnated her aren’t arrested.
They say Thabo Maluleke’s arrest was orchestrated to settle personal scores.
Giyani View learned Thabo was penalized after the victim’s family found out they were dating.
At this stage isn’t yet clear if Thabo paid his fine. Residents claimed that the victim is not mentally disabled. “She is a slow learner”.
Constable Rikhotso stated that the Doctor’s letter to the court indicated that the victim has a mental disability.
Detective Sergeant Masondo of Giyani Family Violence and Child protection and Sexual Offences (Fcs) found that Maluleke raped the victim at the time she was sent to dump the waste next to the soccer field.
Maluleke took the victim to the nearest bushes and raped her.
After the ordeal, the victim was dirty and when she got home, the granny-mother started interrogating her. The victim narrated the detailed story.
The case was opened and Maluleke was arrested and charged with rape.