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Ntini gets six-year sentence

South African cricketer Makhaya Ntini, who made history when he became the first black to play for the national side, was today sentenced to six years in prison for rape, a news agency reported.

The prosecution had sought a ten-year prison term, but magistrate Deon Rossouw said he gave the lesser sentence because the victim had not been hurt, South African Press Association reported.

The magistrate rejected a defence request that Ntini be sentenced to community service.

"Lots of doctors and lawyers have gone to jail for transgressions of the law and I must send out a direct message that ... (rape) will not be tolerated,'' he said.

Ntini was convicted on April 23 of raping a 21-year-old student in December at the Buffalo Park cricket ground in east London after giving her a ride in his car.

At the time, cricket officials described the verdict as a blow to efforts to integrate the traditionally white-dominated sport. The campaign had become symbolic of South Africa's transition from apartheid to democracy.

Ntini, 22, had been immediately dropped from the squad selected for the World Cup in Britain, Ireland and The Netherlands. He was replaced by Alan Dawson.

Ntini debuted as a provincial player when he represented Border against England in the 1995-96 season. He was chosen to play for the South African 'A' team and replaced injured Boland player Roger Telemachus when South Africa toured Australia more than a year ago.

AP