Siphamandla Ntshingila (43) was sentenced to life in prison this week in the Madadeni Regional Court for raping a woman in the Osizweni area in November 2017. He was also found guilty of housebreaking.
According to Natasha Kara, regional spokesperson for the Department of Public Prosecution, the victim was asleep in her home with her young children and siblings on the night Ntshingila broke in.
“He raped her several times in front of the children before fleeing the scene. The victim was unable to identify him because the room was dark at the time; however, she reported the incident to police and DNA samples were taken,” Kara explained.
She explained that the DNA samples were positively linked to Ntshingila from previous arrests. A month later, he was arrested.
“During the trial, he raised the defence of consent. However, following cross-examination by Regional Court Prosecutor Eddie Mbewu, the court was convinced that Ntshingila did not know the victim and that the sexual intercourse was not consensual. Mbewu was also in charge of the victim’s evidence, the first report, the DNA, and the doctor’s report.”
Mbewu also submitted a Victim Impact Statement to the court in support of the State’s case.
The victim said in her statement, which was compiled by the victim and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Sthembile Cebekhulu, that she was now afraid, depressed and unable to sleep alone.
“She is also concerned about the impact the crime will have on her children and siblings, and she is ashamed. The National Prosecuting Authority is pleased that this matter has been successfully concluded,” Kara concluded.
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