EAST LONDON – Three men have been sentenced to life imprisonment by the East London Regional Court for their roles in a horrific gang rape that took place on a farm near Stutterheim more than 15 years ago.
On Thursday, 27 November 2025, the court handed down sentences to Sivuyile Mbondela (41), Sisanele Hletyiwe (36) and Tanduxolo Khedama (47) for crimes committed during a violent home invasion on 4 July 2010.
Mbondela received life imprisonment for rape and an additional 30 years for aggravated robbery.
Hletyiwe was sentenced to life imprisonment for four counts of rape, plus five years for housebreaking and 15 years for aggravated robbery.
Khedama received life imprisonment for three counts of rape, with additional sentences of five years for housebreaking, 15 years for aggravated robbery, and 15 years for possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
The sentences will run concurrently, and all three men have been declared unfit to possess firearms and have been placed on the sex offenders’ register.
The court heard that four armed men forced their way into a house at Ngcobo farm in Stutterheim, outside Qonce, at approximately 23:00 on that July evening.
The intruders demanded money from a 40-year-old woman who was sleeping with her 13-year-old daughter and boyfriend.
When no money was forthcoming, the attackers began systematically raping the victims.
Three additional women who arrived from a traditional ceremony were also subjected to the same horrific treatment.
The attack was interrupted when the driver of a minibus taxi, who had come to check on his passengers’ whereabouts, exchanged gunfire with the suspects.
The attackers fled the scene with the victims’ mobile phones, whilst the driver sustained minor injuries.
The investigation, led by Detective Sergeant Melikhaya Kula, resulted in the recovery of two mobile phones and a firearm.
However, the lengthy court process took its toll on the victims and their families.
Due to the extended legal proceedings, some victims expressed a desire to withdraw from the case, citing exhaustion with the process.
However, the Senior Public Prosecutor refused to withdraw the charges, ensuring the case proceeded to its conclusion.
Tragically, one of the five victims died after giving testimony, and four witnesses also passed away during the prolonged legal process.
“The sterling work and persistence by the Investigating Officer, Detective Sergeant Melikhaya Kula, has been a huge success in the fight against gender-based violence,” said BCM District Commander, Major General Christopher Wright.
