TWO LIFE TERMS FOR THE RAPE AND MURDER OF A PREGNANT WOMAN
26 June 2025
TWO LIFE TERMS FOR THE RAPE AND MURDER OF A PREGNANT WOMAN
The Zwelitsha Regional Court has sentenced Thando Malgas (42) to two life imprisonment terms after he was convicted of the rape and murder of Anele Vena (20) who was heavily pregnant at the time of her death in Xesi, (previously Middledrift) near Qonce (previously King Williams Town).
The crime occurred on the evening of 03 April 2010. Malgas raped the deceased, his neighbour and stabbed her 37 times, causing her death and that of her unborn child. Her body was discovered the next morning in the yard of her home after neighbours heard her screaming for help the night before.
That same evening, Malgas arrived at his brother’s house covered in blood. He confessed to the crime, admitting that he killed the victim because she had identified him during the rape. He then threatened to kill his brother if he told anyone. For nearly seven years, his brother lived in fear and silence, tormented by guilt and recurring nightmares, before finally confiding in two community leaders. They encouraged him to report the crime to police.
Though Malgas initially denied all involvement and refused to provide a DNA sample, police eventually obtained a buccal swab. Forensic testing confirmed that his DNA matched the semen found in the deceased’s body, strengthening the state’s case and dismantling his defence.
The Regional Court Prosecutor, Mzwandile Selanto led the evidence of the accused’s brother and handed in DNA results linking the accused to the crimes. After five years of trial delays and legal manoeuvres, prosectuor Selanto succeeded in proving Malgas’s guilt on both charges. Arguing for an appropriate sentence, the prosecutor emphasised the gravity of the offence, stating, “This was a particularly heinous and senseless act of violence, not only against a young woman but also against the life she was carrying. The brutality of the attack demands the severest penalty.”
The court handed down life sentences for both the rape and murder convictions. Malgas also had previous convictions; a rape conviction in 1998 for which he was sentenced to five years' imprisonment, malicious injury to property in 2005 for which he was fined R800, as well as theft in 2018, for which he received a wholly suspended sentence.
Welcoming the sentence, the Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Barry Madolo, said, “The court has affirmed not only the value of the life so tragically taken, but also acknowledged the horror and cruelty of this senseless act. The successful prosecution in this matter is the result of years of tireless work by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and law enforcement. We commend the unwavering commitment of the prosecution team and salute the extraordinary bravery of the witness who broke his silence after years of fear. His decision to speak out was vital to achieving justice.”
Issued by:
Luxolo Tyali
Regional Spokesperson – Eastern Cape Division
National Prosecuting Authority
047 501 2630
ltyali@npa.gov.za
Enquiries: nmakupula@npa.gov.za | 068 268 2473