MTHATHA – Two men have been sentenced to a combined 33 years in prison for the rape of a 19-year-old woman and a 14-year-old girl in separate cases in Mthatha.

According to police spokesperson Captain Welile Matyolo, in April 2019, Thandokuhle Nondoda Mafinana (24), of Bongweni locality in Mthatha, invited his ex-girlfriend to a meeting to resolve problems in their relationship, and they eventually ended up at his brother’s house.

He said Mafinana did not allow his ex-girlfriend to leave and demanded sex.

“On her refusal, she was assaulted and raped thereafter,” said Matyolo.

He said the 19-year-old victim opened a case of assault and rape at Ngangelizwe Police Station, and Mafinana was arrested.

Matyolo said Mafinana was later released on warning while awaiting the results of DNA tests.

He said all outstanding evidence was obtained, which led to Mafinana’s sentencing by the Mthatha Regional Court on 5 August.

Matyolo said Mafinana was sentenced to an effective 15-year prison term and was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

OR Tambo District Commissioner Major General Norman Modishana said, “This is a warning to all gender-based violence perpetrators that they have no place in the society that we live in.”

Modishana further applauded the sterling work of Mthatha-based Family Violence, Child Protection, Sexual Offences and Femicide Unit investigating officer Sergeant Tshikila in successfully securing the conviction.

In a separate case, Matyolo said that in November 2023, a 14-year-old girl was asleep with her sister at Mthatha’s Slovo Park when her father’s male friend, Xola Sobhalule (34), raped her.

He said the girl’s father had arrived with the perpetrator and they all slept in the same bed.

Matyolo said at about 03:00, the girl was raped by Sobhalule.

He said a case of rape was opened on the same day and Sobhalule was arrested shortly thereafter.

Matyolo said that before his arrest, Sobhalule was assaulted by community members who had heard about the incident.

Once arrested, he was hospitalised under police guard.

Matyolo said Sobhalule was later granted bail of R2,000.

On 4 August, he was sentenced to an effective 18-year prison term by the Mthatha Regional Court on a charge of rape.

Modishana commended Mthatha Family Violence, Child Protection, Sexual Offences and Femicide Unit detective Sergeant Mdikane, who professionally handled the rape case, saying justice had ultimately been served for the victim.

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