Jitane gets 25 years for raping teen

A 2019 rape case which sparked outrage in the Komani community after a 15-year-old former Hexagon High School pupil was brutally attacked and raped by a man, believed then to be a taxi conductor, finally reached a guilty verdict with the accused sentenced to 25 years imprisonment.

Vuyo Jitane was arrested in 2019. He was convicted of raping the young teenager after he had given her a lift home from a matric dance that she had attended.

The girl was reportedly rescued by two men who were passing by, and was taken to hospital.

Jitane elected to abandon his bail application after his arrest, when hundreds of locals marched to the Komani magistrate’s court in support of the victim. He later proceeded with a formal bail application, which was denied.

He remained in custody until his sentencing.

After having to constantly attend court, and the anger and trauma she and her daughter went through, the victim’s mother, who cannot be named to protect the girl’s identity, said she had wanted justice to be served swiftly.

Now that it has finally been done, she said: “I feel relieved, at least we are now able to move on.

“We can finally close this chapter. I am happy with the sentencing.”

However, the soon-to-be 19year-old, who is left to bear the scars, felt the sentence was insufficient.

“I feel like the 25 years that he has been given is not enough but it surely is better than nothing.

“I expected more and I believe he deserved more for what he did, even life imprisonment.”

She said she was slowly trying to deal with the trauma, but was still suffering from flashbacks.

“I am still on the healing process. “I still get flashbacks from that night and that is something I want to deal with because I do not want these flashbacks to take me further back to what I had to deal with.”

Her mother thanked the entire community for the unwavering support.

“I want to express my gratitude to the department of education in Komani, especially Mr Ndembe from the district office, who helped us right through, the department of education in Gqeberha, Zimkhitha Soci, the ANC Women’s League in Enoch Mgijima, Bulelwa Mgijima and the whole community of Komani for the support,” the girl’s mother said.

Police spokesperson Captain Namhla Mdleleni said Jitane was recently found guilty by the Komani magistrate’s court.

Mdleleni said the docket was assigned to Detective Sergeant Nomtandazo Qina.

“Qina sacrificed many hours during the investigation and the suspect was arrested and bail was successfully opposed,” Mdleleni said.

Mdleleni said Chris Hani district commissioner Major-General Rudolph Adolph had congratulated the investigating officer, indicating that he understood the complexity of the investigation and challenges that she had encountered.

He extended his gratitude to the prosecution team who worked with the victim and investigating officer.