The hard work behind a successful conviction
Media attention could not distract driven advocate
After securing four life terms for each of the three men convicted of the Rhodes Park double murders and rapes, South Gauteng High Court Advocate Monde Mnqophiso Mbaqa is ready for another challenge.
Mbaqa, 36, who only started working as a junior advocate in the high court in December 2014, said the case was the biggest he has worked on.
“When I found out the amount of media attention it had drawn, I had doubts and wondered if, as a junior advocate, I was qualified enough to work on the case.
“I received a lot of support from Advocate Mutuwa Nengovhela. The investigating officer (Warrant Officer Bruce van der Schyff) and I worked handin-hand,” Mbaqa said.
He said he had to meet with survivors Siphokazi Tyeke and Jabu Mbatha who were gang raped by a group of men who attacked them while they were taking an early evening stroll on October 17 2015.
Their partners, Sizwe Tyeke and Zukisa Kela, were stripped, had their hands tied and were forced into the dam in in Kensington, Johannesburg.
“The first consultation with the victims was a disaster. The event was still very new and they were crying a lot and were traumatised.
“[Much later] they were able to open up to me. Working on a case of this magnitude has been tiring. It required a lot of work, determination and consultation. We were working with complicated evidence,” he said.
Mbaqa, who was born and raised in Embekweni, a small town 50 kilometres from Cape Town, started his training with the National Prosecuting Authority shortly after graduating with a bachelor of law degree from the University of the Western Cape in March 2003.
He started training at Athlone Magistrate’s Court then completed the last month at the Bellville court.
Mbaqa was then employed full time and taken to the Somerset West court.
In November 2010, he got a job as a regional prosecutor in the Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court but a few years later he wanted a more challenging role and he applied to become a state advocate.
“My future plan is to become a senior advocate,” he said.
Mbaqa is married with three children.