TSHIVHULANA - The long awaited completion of a sexual abuse case of a 16-year-old boy, who was allegedly sexually abused in October and November in 1999, came to an end last Wednesday in the Vuwani Magistrate's court.

Sarah Leshiba (40) of Tshivhulana Village was sentenced to an 18-months jail term, after she was found guilty of sexually molesting a 13-year-old boy in 1999. Today the boy is 16 years old.

The court heard that Leshiba used to invite local young boys to play at her house and later she asked the victim to remain while the rest of the boys went home. It was stated that she locked the boy in her house and sexually abused him. The matter came to the attention of the boy's parents, when he suddenly fell ill and he was complaining about the itching of his private parts. When he was taken to the local health centre for examinations and it was revealed that the boy was infected with a sexual transmitted disease.

After questioning the boy confessed that he had been indulging in sexual activities with Leshiba.

Leshiba was arrested in 1999 and was released on bail of R500. Her case was finalised last Wednesday, after two and half years of investigations, and was sentenced to 18-months imprisonment with the option of a R3 000 fine. She opted to pay half of the fine and the remaining balance will be paid in instalments.