MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPE OF A MINOR

30 October 2025

MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPE OF A MINOR

Elukwatini, Mpumalanga – 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, eLukwatini district. 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.

In November 2022, the victim’s mother sent her to buy electricity from a local shop. 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 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 medical examination, and buccal swabs confirmed DNA linking Ngwenya to the offence. 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 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 Ngwenya’s personal circumstances did not outweigh the aggravating factors. The NPA’s anti-sexual violence efforts include expanding Thuthuzela Care Centres from 55 in 2020/2021 to 64 currently.

Acting Director of Public Prosecutions in Mpumalanga, Mr Sonja Ntuli, welcomed the sentence: “This conviction signals the NPA’s relentless pursuit of gender-based violence perpetrators, restoring victims’ safety and dignity.”

Issued by:

Monica Nyuswa

NPA Regional Spokesperson

DPP Mpumalanga

Tel: 013 045 0625 / 076 485 5446

Email: mnyuswa@npa.gov.za