TEMBISA RAPIST SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPING MENTALLY CHALLENGED GIRL

A 36-year-old man has been sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty of raping a mentally challenged girl in Tembisa in December 2019.

The sentence was handed down by the Tembisa Magistrate’s Court on 6 August 2026, following a lengthy investigation by Detective Warrant Officer Kolobe Kwenaite of the Tembisa Family Violence, Child Protection Services and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit.

The victim was 15 years old at the time of the incident and was visiting her aunt in Emangweni Section, Tembisa.

According to SAPS, the accused allegedly met the girl near a tavern and took her to a house in Liliba Section. He allegedly asked the owner of the property and another man to leave him alone with the girl.

The property owner reportedly refused to participate and left the two at the house. The accused then allegedly took advantage of the girl’s mental condition and raped her.

The girl later told her aunt what had happened, prompting the family to report the matter to Tembisa SAPS.

The case was assigned to Detective Warrant Officer Kwenaite (pictured), whose investigation resulted in two suspects being arrested. One of them was later released by the court.

The remaining accused was eventually convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment.

Acting Ekurhuleni District Commissioner Brigadier Mbongeni Ngcobo welcomed the conviction and commended Warrant Officer Kwenaite for her dedication and professionalism in investigating the case.

The conviction comes as SAPS continues to emphasise the importance of protecting vulnerable victims and ensuring that perpetrators of sexual offences are brought before the courts.