NPA SECURES 23-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE FOR BITYI RAPIST

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has secured a 23-year prison sentence against 37-year-old Samkelo Sihlangula for the rape of a 16-year-old girl.

The Bityi Regional Court further declared Sihlangula unfit to possess a firearm and ordered that his name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.

The court heard that on 16 November 2024, the complainant was visiting a friend in the Mzinya area of Bityi when Sihlangula, who was known to them, invited them to consume alcohol with him.

 The complainant’s friend declined, while the complainant remained with Sihlangula until later that evening.

After the friend had left, Sihlangula persuaded the complainant to accompany him to a tavern to purchase more alcohol. On their way, he attacked her while she was relieving herself, dragged her to an abandoned homestead and raped her.

When the complainant attempted to escape, Sihlangula chased her, caught up with her and dragged her back to the abandoned homestead, where he raped her for a second time.

The complainant fought him off and fled to a nearby homestead, where she jumped over the fence and cried for help. She informed the homeowner that Sihlangula had raped her. The homeowner contacted the police, who later recovered the complainant’s clothing and shoes from the scene, as she had escaped partially clothed and barefoot.

Sihlangula was arrested the following day.

During the trial, Acting Regional Court Prosecutor Anelisiwe Rwaxa led the evidence of the complainant and the first-report witness and submitted the medical report as evidence.

Sihlangula pleaded not guilty and claimed that the sexual encounter had been consensual. However, during cross-examination by the State, he changed his version several times.

Before the prosecutor could present closing arguments, Sihlangula applied through his legal representative to reopen his case.

The court granted the application, after which he admitted to raping the complainant once. He told the court that his conscience had got the better of him during cross-examination and apologised to the complainant and the court for wasting its time.

Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Samkelo Mtwana, welcomed the sentence and commended the prosecutor for her meticulous cross-examination of the accused.

The NPA remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring that perpetrators of sexual offences, particularly those who target children and other vulnerable members of society, are held accountable and that victims receive the justice they deserve.

Issued by:

Luxolo Tyali

NPA Regional Spokesperson

Eastern Cape Division