‘Teach them to fly’ rapist jailed 18 years for attacking two young girls
The accused raped the nine-year-old child and sexually assaulted the second child when she tried to intervene.
A 28-year-old man from the Eastern Cape has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for two sexual assaults on young girls. Thembelihle Bulo appeared in the Mthatha Sexual Offences Court, following his conviction for the crimes. According to the National Prosecuting Authority, the offences occurred on June 16, 2018. The court found that special circumstances allowed for a sentence less than the mandatory minimum of life imprisonment for the rape.
Bulo, who is related to the victims, had reportedly attended a traditional ceremony at the victims' home. He later lured the two children into a hut, claiming he would teach them how to fly. In the hut, Bulo locked the door and raped the nine-year-old girl. When the five-year-old child tried to stop him, Bulo sexually assaulted her as well.
He threatened to kill the children if they told anyone. Six months later, Bulo visited the victims' home again. The children, frightened, ran to their aunt who disclosed the incident to her. The children were taken to the Mthatha Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC) for examination. The prosecution presented evidence from both victims, their aunt, and a doctor who confirmed the nine-year-old victim's account.
Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions welcomed the sentence and praised the prosecution team and investigators for their work in bringing Bulo to justice, despite the challenges of prosecuting such cases involving young children.
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