A Pumula South man has been sentenced to perform community service after he was found guilty of bedding his 13-year-old cousin.
The man who is 19 years old, was initially facing rape charges, but was convicted of sleeping with a minor after the court established that the girl consented.
Regional magistrate Sibongile Msipa-Marondedze said: “You are therefore sentenced to 24 months in prison of which six months are suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour. The remainder will be suspended on condition that you performs 526 hours of community service.”
Prosecuting, Concilia Ncube, told the court that the man pounced on his Grade Seven cousin on January 23.
“The girl left the house and went to play with her young sister and brother just outside their gate. As they were about to start playing, her cousin followed them out of the house and grabbed the girl and closed her mouth, pushing her back into the house,” said Ncube.
“He took her to the sitting room and laid her on the sofa, undressed her and raped the girl once. After the act, the man threatened to assault his cousin if she told their domestic worker of the incident and went away.”
The court heard that after a few days, the girl confided in the domestic worker who made a police report and took the girl to hospital for medical attention.
A medical report was produced which was used in court and the man was arrested.State Media