42-year-old man gets 10-year jail sentence for ‘dating’ teen

A 42-year-old man who was in a relationship with a teenage girl has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for statutory rape, police said on Thursday.

Police spokesperson Lieutenant Nqobile Gwala said the man was sentenced on Wednesday at the Esikhaleni Regional Court.

“It is alleged on April 26 2015, at Esikhaleni, a 15-year-old girl was said to be dating the accused and went to visit him. The mother of the victim noticed that her daughter never came… home for two days and when she came back, the victim reported that she was with her boyfriend.

42-year-old man gets 10-year jail sentence for ‘dating’ teen

“The mother took the victim to the police station to report the case as her daughter was still young. A case of statutory rape was opened at Esikhaleni SAPS and transferred to Empangeni Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences Unit for further investigation,” Gwala said.

KwaZulu-Natal provincial commissioner Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni said police were pleased with the sentencing.

“We are happy with the sentence handed down, as all minors are entitled to grow and not be put under duress to indulge in any form of abuse by adults. This will hopefully serve as a deterrent, especially during the festive season as most minors are on holidays,” she said.

Source: News24