The Gqeberha Regional Court has sentenced Luvo Vuma (28) to life imprisonment for the rape of an 11-year-old girl and five years for housebreaking in March 2021 in Booysens Park near Gqeberha.
Vuma claimed that he was there to fetch his jacket but instead raped the complainant, causing severe injuries on her private parts. The court heard that the incident occurred when Vuma, a family friend, broke into the complainant’s home during the early hours whilst the complainant was fast asleep. He broke into the house while the mother of a victim was away.
The victim testified with the assistance of an intermediary, and her sister and mother, happened to, also testified against Vuma. Vuma was arrested on the same day after their incident was reported to the police. The complainant was subsequently taken for medical treatment and counseling.
Even though Vuma was denying everything stating that the complainant’s mother had allowed him to enter the house, the court found this version of events false and unreasonable. The court rejected Vuma’s alibi, nothing that both the complainant and her sister identified him as the perpetrator.
Additionally, the complainant did not fall asleep after the assault, which contradicted Vuma’s version of events which claimed that another person possibly entered the home after he left.
The Director of the Eastern Cape Public Prosecutions Barry Madolo stressed that NPA fully supports this sentence and reaffirms its commitment to holding perpetrators accountable and ensuring that justice is served for victims of such heinous crimes.
