THE Nongoma Community breathed a collective sigh of relief on this week when, in a dramatic turn of events, the man accused of raping more than 25 school boys admitted his guilt.
Jabulani Sibiya was employed by the Roman Catholic Nkosiyethu Primary School in Nongoma in 2010 as Boarding Master. His job was to look after and mentor the boys at the boarding establishment.
In early March 2012, a handful of the boys reported abuse during 2011 to the Boarding Establishment Sister who immediately had them write reports before informing the school principal.
SAPS was notified shortly thereafter and the Ulundi Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit conducted investigations.
Sibiya was arrested on 5 March 2012 and later charged with 54 counts of sexual molestation of boys under his control.
The 26-year-old pleaded not guilty, electing to remain silent. The case came to trial at Mtubatuba High Court in May this year during which all but one of the victims testified from the safe haven of a separate room, under guidance of an intermediary.
Judge Van Zyl noted the ‘graphic and disturbing evidence’ given by the victims and went on to say the complainants were good, believable and consistent witnesses.
During their testimonies, the victims referred to Sibiya’s black bag of muthi, from which he allegedly used what he called ‘holy oil’ to make them submit to his behaviour and keep quiet afterwards.
Last week court officials opened the bag to reveal its contents to the court. Confirming the children’s claims relating to his use of muthi, this damning evidence prompted Sibiya to admit his guilt.
He admitted to 12 counts of rape of boys under 12, 12 counts of rape of boys between 12 and 16, one attempted rape, 16 counts of sexual grooming and 11 counts of forcing the boys to witness sexual acts.
In summation, Van Zyl said, ‘The accused displayed a deplorable degree of depravity in dealing with his victims, resulting in human tragedy on a grand scale.’
Sibiya’s brother, who asked to remain anonymous, said his family is ‘disturbed and deeply affected by [the case]’.
The trial was postponed to 7 August in Pietermaritzburg when dates for a 30-day psychiatric investigation at Fort Napier Hospital will be confirmed. Thereafter, a date for sentencing at Mtubatuba High Court will be set.
