Mayflower man sentenced to life plus 10 years for rape
A Mayflower man who targeted women near local shops and dragged them to his home to rape them has been sentenced to life imprisonment plus 10 years.
MAYFLOWER – The Elukwatini Regional Court sentenced Thami Cornelius Mbuyane (44) to life imprisonment plus an additional 10 years for the brutal rape of two women in the Mayflower area. The crimes took place between November 2019 and October 2020.
The court heard how Mbuyane targeted his victims near local shops before dragging them to his home.
In one incident in October 2020, Mbuyane targeted a woman living with a disability. After questioning her about her condition while she was with friends, he followed her as she walked to a shop with her friends.
“He followed them and, along the way, suddenly grabbed the victim, assaulted her, and forcibly took her away. Despite her resistance, he dragged her to his shack where he raped her,” said Monica Nyuswa, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Regional Spokesperson.
In a separate case, a woman was walking home from a shop when Mbuyane stopped her. He threatened her with a knife before forcing her to his residence.
The victim’s friends became suspicious after observing her emotional distress and questioned her. She led them to the shack, where they found the accused.
When confronted, he pleaded with them not to report the matter. The incident was reported to the police, and the accused was arrested.
During the trial, Mbuyane maintained his innocence. He claimed the encounters were consensual and suggested he was in a relationship with one of the victims.
However, State Prosecutor Mxolisi Biyela presented compelling evidence to rebut his version of events, including the victims’ testimonies, first reports, J88 medical reports, corroborating witness testimony, and positive DNA results linking the accused to the offences.
The court rejected Mbuyane’s claims as lies, finding the state’s witnesses to be credible, and Mbuyane was convicted of two counts of rape.
“During sentencing, State Prosecutor Biyela emphasised the vulnerability of women, particularly those living with mental impairment, and argued that society cannot tolerate the marginalisation and abuse of women by perpetrators such as the accused.”
The magistrate agreed, stating there was no reason to give a lighter sentence than the law requires. Mbuyane received a life sentence for raping the mentally impaired victim and 10 years for the second rape.
In addition to his prison time, Mbuyane’s name will be added to the National Register for Sex Offenders, and he has been declared unfit to own a firearm.
The NPA welcomed the sentence, stating it remains committed to protecting the dignity of women and ensuring sex offenders face the full might of the law.
