For illustration purposes.
The Elukwatini Regional Court has convicted and sentenced Mandla Ngwenya (32), a security officer at a local community hall, to life imprisonment for raping a 15-year-old girl in Mayflower.
The accused was sentenced on Thursday October 30.
Ngwenya was declared unfit to possess a firearm, unsuitable to work with children, and the court ordered his name to be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.
According to the spokesperson for the Mpumalanga National Prosecuting Authority, Ngwenya was convicted for an incident that occurred on November 01, 2022. The victim’s mother had sent her to buy electricity from a local shop.
“While en route, Ngwenya grabbed her, dragged her to the hall, locked her inside, and raped her. He instructed her to wipe herself with a bath towel and threatened her into silence before releasing her. Upon reaching home, the victim immediately reported the ordeal to her mother and identified Ngwenya. The mother notified the police, leading to his arrest. The victim underwent a medical examination, and buccal swabs confirmed DNA linking Ngwenya to the offence,” she said.
Nyuswa added that Ngwenya pleaded not guilty, denying intercourse and claiming the victim was his girlfriend. State Prosecutor Mxolisi Biyela presented compelling evidence including the complainant’s testimony, the mother’s first report, and a J88 medical report confirming sexual violation. The court deemed the state witnesses credible and rejected Ngwenya’s version.
“In aggravation, Biyela described rape as a heinous crime, destroying victims’ physical and mental integrity, urging the mandatory life sentence. A Victim Impact Statement, facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Nondumiso Mtshali, revealed the victim’s ongoing fear and declining academic performance. The court ruled that Ngwenya’s personal circumstances did not outweigh the aggravating factors,” said Nyuswa.
Hence, the court found Ngwenya guilty and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
