Former South African and international boxing champion Thabo Sonjica has been found guilty of rape.
He was charged after a February 11 2014 incident in which he dragged a girl, aged 16 at the time, into a shack where he forced open her legs and violated her with his fingers.
The court heard that Sonjica and his father went to the girl’s home because “traditionally, such matters can be discussed among the families”.
When called to testify, Sonjica did not deny seeing the girl on the day. Instead, he told magistrate Ignatius Kitching he wanted to “grace her with his attention because she had never had it before”.
He said he had changed the direction he was walking in to walk with her and that he had his arm around her. When she saw his friends, she shouted that he should let her go.
He told the court that the rape charge was a result of jealousy from his Duncan Village community and pleaded not guilty.
Sitting in the East London Regional Court, Kitching found Sonjica guilty and extended his bail of R1000.
His manager, Mlandeli Tengimfene of All Winner’s Boxing Club, said they were aware of the conviction but up until he was sentenced it was “business as usual”.
“His conviction does not affect us yet. He has a fight on December 18 and he is busy with training,” he said.
Sonjica will be sentenced on February 12. — siyab@dispatch.co.za
DV boxing champion found guilty of rape
He was charged after a February 11 2014 incident in which he dragged a girl, aged 16 at the time, into a shack where he forced open her legs and violated her with his fingers.
The court heard that Sonjica and his father went to the girl’s home because “traditionally, such matters can be discussed among the families”.
When called to testify, Sonjica did not deny seeing the girl on the day. Instead, he told magistrate Ignatius Kitching he wanted to “grace her with his attention because she had never had it before”.
He said he had changed the direction he was walking in to walk with her and that he had his arm around her. When she saw his friends, she shouted that he should let her go.
He told the court that the rape charge was a result of jealousy from his Duncan Village community and pleaded not guilty.
Sitting in the East London Regional Court, Kitching found Sonjica guilty and extended his bail of R1000.
His manager, Mlandeli Tengimfene of All Winner’s Boxing Club, said they were aware of the conviction but up until he was sentenced it was “business as usual”.
“His conviction does not affect us yet. He has a fight on December 18 and he is busy with training,” he said.
Sonjica will be sentenced on February 12. — siyab@dispatch.co.za
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