Barkly West rapist sentenced

Albert Boeta Khumalo (33) was sentenced to 10 years direct imprisonment for rape and attempted rape in the Barkly West Magistrates Court, recently.

On 2 May 2016 at about 08:00, the 33-year-old female was accosted by the unknown suspect while on her way home in Barkly West.

He threatened her with a knife, dragged her into the veld and raped her.

On 29 October 2017 the accused was at a social gathering with the 17-year-old female victim and wanted to force her to have sex with him and severely assaulted her in the street.

Police arrested Khumalo, took his DNA samples and he appeared in the Barkly West Magistrates Court but was however released on bail.

Police linked the accused to the rape of the 33-year-old female with DNA and managed to arrest him on 18 December 2020.

Bail was successfully opposed by the police and the Khumalo was found guilty on both the rape and attempted rape and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment on 7 March 2022.

The Provincial Head for Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences, Brig Nicky Mills commended D/WO Aretha Claasen for her perseverance and hard work in ensuring the perpetrator was not granted impunity for these heinous actions.