Court gives rapist hefty sentence

The Vosloorus Regional Court sentenced convicted rapist Siyabonga Olifant (23) to life imprisonment for rape and 10 years imprisonment for kidnapping.

According to NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane, on the evening of December 25, 2022, a woman (26) was walking home from a friend’s house when Olifant, whom she knew, offered to escort her home.

“He was accompanied by two unidentified males. Despite the victim saying she did not want to go with him, Olifant insisted she accompanied them. The woman tried to go her own way, believing the accused was joking, but he physically restrained and slapped her,” said Mjonondwane.

Olifant and the other two men then forcibly took the woman with them, dragging her to his house in Mapleton just before 22:00.

“Inside the residence, the accused took the victim to a bedroom, pushed her onto the bed and overpowered her despite her resistance and screams. The accused and the two men restrained the victim, and each male committed sexual assault using protection.

“After the two unknown co-perpetrators left, Olifant escorted the victim to her residence the following morning. The victim told her aunt she had been assaulted,” said Mjonondwane.

Community members apprehended the accused and alerted the police. He faces charges of rape and kidnapping.

In court, the victim testified that the incident had left an indelible mark on her life, erasing her trust in men and affecting her relationships with her family, including her brothers.

Olifant presented mitigating testimony, claiming he was in a relationship with the victim and the interaction was consensual.

“However, regional court prosecutor Madelé Ferreira submitted compelling evidence that proved Olifant’s culpability, citing that he took advantage of the fact that he attended the same school as the victim.”

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