A 17-year-old female pupil is remarkably fortunate to be alive, having fiercely fought off a 24-year-old man, who attempted to rape and murder her in the dead of night in Nyamandlovu, Umguza district.
The accused, Kwanele Bhebhe was yesterday sentenced to an effective 18 years in prison for attempted rape.
recounted how Bhebhe gained entry into the complainant’s bedroom in their home. He then viciously assaulted her with a knobkerrie, striking her repeatedly on her face and body, while also threatening to kill her as she struggled to defend herself.
The terrifying incident unfolded on the night of June 19. At around 11PM, Bhebhe attempted to rape the complainant, grabbing her by the neck and dragging her outside the house.
“The complainant resisted being further dragged and started struggling with the accused, who tripped her down and used his hand to cover her mouth from screaming. The accused person even scooped a handful of sand into the complainant’s mouth to prevent her from screaming,” Mr Mugari detailed.
He informed the court that the complainant pleaded with the accused to free her, but Bhebhe insisted on having sexual intercourse, threatening to hit her with the knobkerrie or even use his knife if she continued resisting.
“He reached for the complainant’s underwear and tore it off. He tried to insert his knee between the complainant’s legs, but the complainant scratched him on the face. He then took out a knobkerrie, which he had brought, and hit the complainant on the face and
