A 52-year-old Eastern Cape policeman has been jailed nearly 12-years after raping a female awaiting trial detainee at the Mthatha Central Police Station.
The National Prosecuting Authority’s regional spokesperson, Luxolo Tyali, said Warrant Officer Mhlobo Mpela, was sentenced to 18-years behind bars in the Mthatha Regional Court on Wednesday.
He was a Sergeant at the time that he raped the then 44-year-old woman twice at Mthatha Central Police Station in November 2008.
Mpela, who was on night duty at the time, claimed that the woman, who was arrested for her husband’s murder, had asked him for help and had initiated the sexual encounter.
Tyali said the trial had experienced numerous delays over the years after the policeman changed lawyers and the presiding officer and prosecutor both died, forcing the trial to start afresh.
He said while the state had called for the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment to be imposed, Magistrate Joe Govuza, found that there were substantial and compelling circumstances justifying a deviation.
Tyali said the NPA welcomed the sentence and believed it is was a clear indication that the NPA prosecuted without fear, favour or prejudice, even when the crime is committed by those tasked with enforcing the law.
