The court further declared him unfit to possess a firearm.
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The court heard that during the early hours of 25 September 2022, the victim, who was 13 years old at the time, was asleep with her four younger siblings at their home in the Khulubuse Section, Schoemansdal Trust, while their parents were away.
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It was established that the accused entered the house and forced the victim to accompany him to a nearby bush, where he raped her.
A passer-by heard the victim crying for help and went to investigate. When he saw the witness, Mhlongo fled the scene, leaving behind his trousers. The witness assisted the victim and alerted members of the Community Police Forum (CPF). The trousers were recognised as belonging to Mhlongo. He was arrested with the help of members of the Community Police Forum.
Mhlongo was 15 years old at the time.
