SENTENCED: Muneer Lakay
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Bonteheuwel residents are celebrating the conviction of a man accused of brutally raping a teen meisie and attempting to murder her.
Ward councillor Angus Mckenzie says the fight for justice paid off when the Parow Regional Court sentenced Muneer Lakay to 25 years behind bars for assault, torture and rape.
He explains the girl, who was just 16 years old at the time of the horrific attack on 29 November 2023, miraculously survived being stabbed twice in the neck by her assailant.
Mckenzie says: "Lakay who is an acquaintance of the victim asked her to accompany him to the Epping market. They were on their way to the market but then he took her through the bushes at Langa where he stabbed her in the neck to subdue her and rape her.
"After raping her, he stabbed again twice, once in the neck and once in the arm and also choked her to make sure she was dead. He thought that he had killed her but she managed to run away to a safe place in Langa."
He says the Langa family called police to the scene and her mother was later informed.
Mckenzie adds: "He went on the run and was arrested 12 December 2023. Trial started in January 2024. While nothing can take away the pain, suffering and ongoing challenges she will face at least we know that this vile, sick and twisted individual will no longer be able to harm her or any other lady again.
"Her family must be applauded for standing with her and being relentless in their pursuit for justice."