The man who robbed, raped and killed a Dutywa teen on Women’s Day 19 months ago has been handed three life sentences.
The Mthatha High Court sitting in Butterworth sentenced Luthando Qwele, 31, last week.
Police spokesman Captain Jackson Manatha said one life term was for kidnapping, one for robbery and the third for rape and murder.
The 19-year-old Lutho Qudalele from Dutywa disappeared from her home in Sofuthe village on Women’s Day – August 9 – in 2014 while on her way to a creche run by her mother.
Her parents at the time accused the police of not doing enough to track her down.
Police set up a task team and her body was found 13 days later on the banks of Nqabarha River, with two stab wounds and both hands and legs bound with chains and wire.
Qwele was later arrested and charged with kidnapping, robbery and murder.
COPE president Mosiuoa Lekota, speaking at her funeral days later, threatened to report Butterworth police to Police Minister Nkosinathi Nhleko after he discovered that crucial evidence in the form of the wire and chains had been left at the funeral parlour where her body was taken.
On Friday, Qudalele’s father, Masakhane, said although they would never get their daughter back, the family was content with the life sentences given to Qwele, who had lived near the creche in the village.
“We are happy with the work done by the police. We want to take our hats off to them,” he added.
Butterworth police cluster commander Brigadier Stanley Sibhidla commended the police, saying the sentences would serve as a deterrent to other criminals.
“We will continue arresting those who break the law and make sure they face the full might of the law,” he said.
Teenager’s killer gets three life sentences
The Mthatha High Court sitting in Butterworth sentenced Luthando Qwele, 31, last week.
Police spokesman Captain Jackson Manatha said one life term was for kidnapping, one for robbery and the third for rape and murder.
The 19-year-old Lutho Qudalele from Dutywa disappeared from her home in Sofuthe village on Women’s Day – August 9 – in 2014 while on her way to a creche run by her mother.
Her parents at the time accused the police of not doing enough to track her down.
Police set up a task team and her body was found 13 days later on the banks of Nqabarha River, with two stab wounds and both hands and legs bound with chains and wire.
Qwele was later arrested and charged with kidnapping, robbery and murder.
COPE president Mosiuoa Lekota, speaking at her funeral days later, threatened to report Butterworth police to Police Minister Nkosinathi Nhleko after he discovered that crucial evidence in the form of the wire and chains had been left at the funeral parlour where her body was taken.
On Friday, Qudalele’s father, Masakhane, said although they would never get their daughter back, the family was content with the life sentences given to Qwele, who had lived near the creche in the village.
“We are happy with the work done by the police. We want to take our hats off to them,” he added.
Butterworth police cluster commander Brigadier Stanley Sibhidla commended the police, saying the sentences would serve as a deterrent to other criminals.
“We will continue arresting those who break the law and make sure they face the full might of the law,” he said.
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