Ermelo court sentences serial rapist to five life terms
The sentence follows Ngozo’s conviction on five counts of rape and three counts of kidnapping, crimes committed between September 2019 and December 2022.
ERMELO – The Ermelo Regional Court sentenced Sandile Hopewell Ngozo, a 25-year-old serial rapist, to five life terms plus an additional 18 months of imprisonment.
The sentence follows Ngozo’s conviction on five counts of rape and three counts of kidnapping, crimes committed between September 2019 and December 2022 in Ermelo and Breyten.
According to Monica Nyuswa, National Prosecution Authority’s provincial spokesperson, the court heard that Ngozo’s victims were aged between of 15 and 27.
Three of the attacks occurred in Ermelo, and two in the Breyten KwaZanele area.
In one incident on September 28, 2019, in Ermelo’s Sun City, Ngozo and unknown accomplices accosted a victim, pulled her to the roadside, and raped her.
He then kidnapped her, holding her against her will and continuing the assault at his home.
Another incident in December 2022 in KwaZanele involved two victims who were approached by Ngozo.
“The two were walking on the street when the accused approached them and asked them to come with him to his place. The accused was known to one of the victims,” said Nyuswa.
Upon arrival, Ngozo locked them inside the house for several days and repeatedly raped one of the victims.
One of them eventually managed to escape at night and reported the crime to the police.
“One victim was able to identify Ngozo, who was subsequently linked to other crimes through DNA evidence.”
During the trial, Ngozo pleaded not guilty, claiming the acts were consensual.
However, State Prosecutor Chané Rothman presented credible evidence, including a DNA analysis and a medical report confirming victim injuries.
Read the complete article in the Highvelder newspaper.
