Man gets life in jail for raping mentally ill woman

A man was sentenced to life imprisonment on Thursday for the rape of a 14-year-old mentally disabled girl, News24 reported.

The brutal attack took place in rural Msinga in December 2011, according to police spokesperson Major Thulani Zwane, the report stated.

"The victim was walking on the road with two other children when they were accosted by the accused. He grabbed her from behind and chased the children away by throwing stones at them.

"Then he dragged the victim to the bushes where he assaulted and raped her repeatedly. He fled, leaving the terrified victim inside the bushes that night," Zwane said.

The suspect fled the area after the children had raised the alarm, telling their mother what had happened.

"Their mother informed the police and a search to find the victim was conducted. She was found in the bushes and a case of rape was opened at the Msinga police station. Greytown Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit took over the investigation. The accused fled the area when he heard that police were looking for him."

When the suspect's whereabouts became known two years later, he was arrested and charged.

"He was kept in custody throughout his trial. He received life imprisonment after his DNA samples were positively compared with those found on the victim," Zwane said.