MBOMBELA – The 10-year-old survivor was strong as she delivered her testimony in the case against a man more that twice her age who raped her. When he was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on Monday, the magistrate, Ms Venessa Joubert commended her for her strong character and ironclad testimony.
Nicolas Mandla Ngomane (21) was waiting for his victim at the gate of her home one afternoon when she returned from school last year. According to her, he tried to attract her attention by making statements about getting romantically involved with her in future. “No thank you, I am not interested,” she replied and walked into the yard.
This rejection of his proposal did not sit well with Ngomane, who grabbed the girl by the arm. She pushed him away and he reacted by grabbing her, forcing her into the house, into the main bedroom and raping her on her mother’s bed. When he was done, he left. His victim did not waver – she reported the incident to her mother immediately and they went to the police.
Ngomane was prosecuted and, due largely to the girl’s unwavering testimony, found guilty of rape less than a year later.
Ms Santi Britz, who was raped in her home in January 2009 and has launched community projects to support rape victims, addressed the women of Mbombela at the South African Council for Businesswomen last Thursday. She applauded young girls for their willingness to report and testify against their wrongdoers. “You can never allow the man who raped you, to steal your life. Report the crime and testify against him. It is difficult, but we need to stand up against rapists,” she said. “Your impact, your testimony, will contribute towards sending them to jail.”
