Nyelisani Tsumbedzo (18) of Ngovhela Village in the Madamalala area will spend the next ten year behind the bars. His rape case was finalised in the Thohoyandou High Court last Friday. The incident that led to the case took place at the accused’s home on September 26, 2004.

The court heard that the victim was playing with her friend in the street on the day of the incident. The victim is a seven-year-old girl. The victim’s friend is a sister to the accused. The court further heard that the accused called the victim and her friend to his room, saying he wanted to give them some sweets.

Atfter some minutes, the accused’s sister left, leaving the victim with the accused inside the room. The accused grabbed the victim and raped her thereafter. Although the victim was instructed not to share the story with anybody, she related the story to her mother.

The mother reported the matter to the police and the accused was arrested two days after the incident. The accused was represented by Adv Khathu Mainganye in the case, while Adv Ratshilumela Johannes Makhera was the prosecutor.