Rape accused faces murder rap
30/07/2007 13:58  - (SA)  

Beach rapes: One pleads guilty Scottburgh rape accused plead

Scottburgh - One of the three men accused of raping three women on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast is also being charged with attempted murder because he is HIV positive.

In the indictment before the high court sitting in Scottburgh, it emerged that 29-year old Mthokozisi Mbambo was diagnosed as being HIV "as far back as 2000".

Mbambo, Sithembiso Shelembe, 23, and Wonder Mchunu, 26, allegedly raped three Durban women at a beach house in Pennington, south of Scottburgh, on December 29.

They are accused of attacking and robbing another couple later that night.

Mchunu had initially pleaded guilty to the charges, but later changed his plea to one of not guilty.

The case was due to start mid-morning on Monday.

In contrast to when the three men pleaded on January 25, there were none of the large crowds of protesters outside the court buildings.

The indictment said that Mbambo raped the women "in spite of his knowledge of the potential transmission of a virus leading to fatal consequences".

The three men also face charges of rape, indecent assault, robbery with aggravating circumstances.

What is this?    Yahoo    Digg  Del.icio.us  Facebook Brought to you by OUTsurance Car Insurance News24 on mobile News24 on facebook profile