SIBASA – Freddy Ifalau (26), of Muila Village, will spend the next seven years behind bars after he was convicted of raping and robbing a 42-year-old woman on March 9, 2001. The case was finalised in the Sibasa Sexual Offences court last Thursday.

The court heard that the victim was on her way from Muila to Thembisa Village during the evening of the incident. While on the way, she saw Ifalau coming from behind. When he arrived at the scene he started assaulting her with his fists. She fell down and Ifalau started to undress her. He then raped her and robbed her of her cellular phone, before vanishing in the surrounding bushes.

Although it was the first time that the victim saw the accused, she managed to describe to the police what he looked like. Ifalau was arrested three months after the incident, following thorough investigations by the Tshitale police. The arrest took place at his Muila home on the 27th of June.

He appeared in the Tshitale Magistrate's Court several times before the case was referred to the Sibasa Sexual Offences court.

In another incident, a 42-year-old man of Muumoni Village appeared in the Tshitale Magistrate's Court on Monday on a charge of rape.

It is alleged that the man overpowered a 15-year-old girl who is said to be a psychiatric patient. While raping her, the girl screamed for help, causing neighbours to respond. On realizing he was surrounded, the suspect fled the scene. Bystanders, however, recognized him and he was subsequently arrested by the police. He was not asked to plead when he appeared in court. His case was postponed until December 8.