FAMILY FRIEND SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR ORAL RAPE OF A MINOR BOY.

20 June 2025

FAMILY FRIEND SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR ORAL RAPE OF A MINOR BOY.

The Ermelo Regional Court has today convicted and sentenced a family friend Wonderboy Liberty Mngcina (41), to life imprisonment for rape of a minor boy (7). In July 2023, the accused went to his friend's place of residence where he was residing with the victim and requested to sleep as he was intoxicated. The victim's father allowed the accused into the house. The accused shared the room with the victim and the victim’s father slept in a separate room.

While sleeping , the accused undressed the minor boy and raped him. The victim screamed asking for help and the accused fled the scene. The victim was taken to Ermelo Thuthuzela Care Centre for medical examination and psychosocial support. The accused was traced and arrested the same day at Mazakhele section in Ermelo by the police.

In court the accused claimed that he was intoxicated and denied raping the victim. Prosecutor Chańe Rothman, led credible evidence of the victim who testified using intermediary services . The victim's father also testified . A medical report confirming injuries to the victim's private part was presented in court.The accused was found guilty as charged.

In aggravation of sentence, Prosecutor Rothman argued for the prescribed minimum sentence of life to be imposed on the accused, emphasising that the accused’s behavior warranted a strong societal message. The accused was sentenced to life imprisonment for rape. The court declared the accused unfit to possess a firearm, unsuitable to work with children and ordered his name entered into the National Register for Sexual Offenders.

The National Prosecuting Authority welcomes the sentence and remains committed to fighting the scourge of gender-based violence. This sentence underscores the seriousness with which the criminal justice system address gender- based violence. Sexual violence not only violates the dignity and privacy of the victims as protected by the constitution but also erodes societal trust. The NPA continues aggressively prosecuting these cases to ensure justice for all victims.

Issued by:

Monica Nyuswa
NPA Regional Spokesperson
Director of Public Prosecutions Mpumalanga
Telephone: 013 045 0625/076 485 5446
Email: Mnyuswa@npa.gov.za