Two 20-year-old students will spend the rest of their lives in an East London prison if convicted on charges of a rape that took place inside a Walter Sisulu University students’ residence last year.
The youths, Loyiso Soldati and Sihle Jikeka, have pleaded not guilty for the alleged rape of a 17-year-old matric pupil on May 7 last year.
The state has called for a life sentence to be imposed, stating that Soldati and Jikeka took turns repeatedly raping the victim while she was unconscious, due to allegedly drinking a spiked beverage.
Soldati and Jikeka have denied raping the girl and have pleaded not guilty to the schedule six offence that comprises a minimum sentence of life imprisonment if convicted.
Soldati is being represented by Ben van Rensberg and Jikeka by Jerry Dengana. They are out on R500 bail each.
Their rape trial began in the East London Regional Court before magistrate Ignatius Kitching on Thursday.
The King William’s Town victim, who has since turned 18, took the stand and testified that on the day of the incident she had visited East London for her matric dance after-party.
She said while on her way to East London, she drank two cans of Smirnoff Pine Twist.
She was in the company of a group of friends and they found themselves in Geraldine residence where they were to spend the night.
She said she and her friends then met up with Soldati and Jikeka, who took them to Ndosi’s tavern for a night of fun.
While at the tavern, she was offered shots of Russian Bear, which she then drank. The group of about 12 then went back to Geraldine residence, and continued drinking inside a small room with two beds.
She poured herself a cup of vodka and realising she did not like the taste, stopped drinking and fell asleep on a bed.
“I was later woken up by a male figure who asked me why I had poured a drink and was not drinking it,” she told the court.
“He offered me a cup and pestered me to drink it. I took a sip and after 30 to 40 minutes I fell unconscious.”
She said she later woke up and found herself naked between Soldati and Jikeka.
“What did you think was going to happen when young boys and girls get drunk together under the blankets in one room?” Van Rensburg asked her during cross-examination.
“I don’t know,” she said.
The trial continues on September 5. — zwangam@ dispatch.co.za
WSU rape accused could get life: Pupil allegedly repeatedly assaulted
The youths, Loyiso Soldati and Sihle Jikeka, have pleaded not guilty for the alleged rape of a 17-year-old matric pupil on May 7 last year.
The state has called for a life sentence to be imposed, stating that Soldati and Jikeka took turns repeatedly raping the victim while she was unconscious, due to allegedly drinking a spiked beverage.
Soldati and Jikeka have denied raping the girl and have pleaded not guilty to the schedule six offence that comprises a minimum sentence of life imprisonment if convicted.
Soldati is being represented by Ben van Rensberg and Jikeka by Jerry Dengana. They are out on R500 bail each.
Their rape trial began in the East London Regional Court before magistrate Ignatius Kitching on Thursday.
The King William’s Town victim, who has since turned 18, took the stand and testified that on the day of the incident she had visited East London for her matric dance after-party.
She said while on her way to East London, she drank two cans of Smirnoff Pine Twist.
She was in the company of a group of friends and they found themselves in Geraldine residence where they were to spend the night.
She said she and her friends then met up with Soldati and Jikeka, who took them to Ndosi’s tavern for a night of fun.
While at the tavern, she was offered shots of Russian Bear, which she then drank. The group of about 12 then went back to Geraldine residence, and continued drinking inside a small room with two beds.
She poured herself a cup of vodka and realising she did not like the taste, stopped drinking and fell asleep on a bed.
“I was later woken up by a male figure who asked me why I had poured a drink and was not drinking it,” she told the court.
“He offered me a cup and pestered me to drink it. I took a sip and after 30 to 40 minutes I fell unconscious.”
She said she later woke up and found herself naked between Soldati and Jikeka.
“What did you think was going to happen when young boys and girls get drunk together under the blankets in one room?” Van Rensburg asked her during cross-examination.
“I don’t know,” she said.
The trial continues on September 5. — zwangam@ dispatch.co.za
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