Two life sentences for rapist after five years
KANYAMAZANE - A man has received two life sentences for the rape of a 17-yearold, and his accomplice received 10 years.
KaNyamazane FCS’s (Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences)
Det Sgt Howard Xolani Nxumalo, the officer behind the arrests and convictions, walked Lowvelder through the case.
Vusi Mgwenya and Sifiso Shabangu were both sentenced in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court in March.
Mgwenya, who was 26 at the time of the rape in 2016, was found guilty on charges of kidnapping, pointing a firearm and rape.
He received a life sentence for the pointing of the firearm, a 15-year sentence for kidnapping and two life sentences for rape.
Shabangu was sentenced to 15 years on the charge of rape.
Nxumalo said the incident occurred in 2016, when a 17-year-old girl was walking to see a friend. Mgwenya stopped her and held her at gunpoint before pulling her into the bush.
According to the statement, Shabangu, who was known to the 17-year-old, saw what was going on and attempted to help.
Mgwenya pointed his gun at Shabangu, telling him he should take part in the rape if he wanted to live.
“This in fact was all a set-up and the two men had planned this all out in advance,” said Nxumalo.
After both men raped the girl, Mgwenya gave Shabangu R50 and told him to go and buy beers.
“Instead of calling for help, as an innocent person would have, he came back with beers and condoms.”
Mgwenya suggested they go to Shabangu’s house where the 17-year-old was raped again by Mgwenya.
Mgwenya then pretended to take a phone call outside and the girl was raped again by Shabangu while Mgwenya made his escape.
Shabangu fell asleep, and the woman escaped and alerted her friends about the incident. The friend confronted Shabangu who continued to pretend he was a victim.
He took her to the police to make a statement, but believing Shabangu was a friend, she did not mention his involvement.
It was not until Nxumalo went to take another statement from the woman that she mentioned Shabangu.
Shabangu was arrested in 2016 and after a seven-month hunt for Mgwenya, he was arrested in Zwelisha.
However, without DNA results to link him to the crime, he was released from police custody. DNA was sent to the Pretoria forensics lab in 2017 with results only available in June 2020.
“The woman received multiple death threats from both the suspects, but she never withdrew the charges and we were eventually able to get them to court were they were found guilty and sentenced.”
Nxumalo applauded the young woman for being so brave throughout the matter. He said she had multiple counselling sessions and was now busy with tertiary studies.
“This in fact was all a set-up and the two men had planned this all out in advance,” said Nxumalo.