Eastern Cape man gets life for raping his ex-girlfriend

A Sterkspruit man was sentenced to life imprisonment on Wednesday by the local regional court for raping his ex-girlfriend.

Regional National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said Nkululeko Mrhobongwana was found guilty of raping the 17-year-old victim.

"The incident took place on the night of 21 December 2017 at Manxeba village in the district of Sterkspruit. Mrhobongwana went to the victim’s home in the same village and forcefully took her to his home. "On arrival, he demanded to have sex with her but she refused, telling him she had terminated their love affair," said Tyali.

However, Mrhobongwana proceeded to rape the victim twice before letting her go on the following morning, he said.

"She immediately went to report the rape at the Sterkspruit police station. He was arrested on 01 March 2019 following an assault case opened by the same victim. "

Mrhobongwana has been in custody since his arrest.

"He changed his plea from not guilty to guilty after he was confronted with evidence by prosecutor Advocate Loyiso Methuso. The court found no substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from the prescribed term of life imprisonment and sentenced the rapist to life imprisonment. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm," said Tyali.

Siyamthanda Ndlela of the Total Shutdown Movement applauded the sentencing of Mrhobongwana.

"Rape is a serious problem, especially in our province. Seeing that law is playing its role when it comes to cases of rape, we are applaud the court in Sterkspruit. We hope that other courts will follow suit and people who abuse or rape children will learn that law is not playing. This shows that our efforts are not in vain. I am happy to hear this," she said. - DispatchLIVE