Ngwelezana court convicts rapist to 12 years in prison

The Ngwelezane Regional Court on Thursday convicted and sentenced Sifiso Alex Nyawo of the Mkhoma area outside Nseleni Township to 12 years imprisonment for rape.

The incident occurred on Sunday, 5 February 2023 as the victim was returning home from a tavern.

A rape case was registered and assigned to Detective Sergeant Sanele Shoba of the Empangeni FCS Unit who effected the arrest.

Nyawo was denied bail and served two years in police custody until he was convicted.

The Regional Court heard that on the day of the incident, Nyawo (27) followed his unsuspecting 22-year-old victim and grabbed her.

He then assaulted and dragged her into the nearby bushes where he raped her repeatedly without using any protection.

The victim was able to recognise him as they were neighbours.

Nyawo pleaded not guilty, but when the DNA linked him to the case he changed his story and claimed he was in a relationship with the victim.

Don’t have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here:

HAVE YOUR SAY