Mbongeleni Sbonga Xulu (42) will spend the rest of his life in prison after the Vryheid Magistrate’s Court found him guilty today (Tuesday) of the heinous crimes he committed between June 2020 and December 2021.

In June 2020 in the Hlobane area, Xulu murdered his biological sister. After she went missing, Xulu reportedly led his family to the location of her body in the bush and advised them not to contact the police. Authorities later discovered bloodstained clothing in Xulu’s possession and an unexplained injury to his forehead. Forensic analysis linked the evidence to the deceased.

Xulu initially evaded arrest.

In December 2021, Xulu broke into a homestead and raped a woman. She reported the assault to a neighbour and the police. DNA evidence later linked Xulu to the crime and he was eventually arrested.

During the trial, the prosecution presented circumstantial evidence, testimony from family members and police officers, and DNA results that confirmed his involvement in both crimes. The complainant in the rape case had died of natural causes before the trial, so evidence was presented through police and witness testimony.

The court sentenced Xulu to 20 years for murder, life for rape, and five years for housebreaking with intent to rape. He was declared unfit to possess a firearm, and his name was added to the National Register for Sex Offenders.

National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara commented that, “We welcome the outcome and we are committed to pursue justice on behalf of crime victims in partnership with law enforcement agencies.”

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The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.