By Augustine Ehikioya
For luring unsuspecting Facebook friends and raping them, a serial rapist has been sentenced to three life term and 280 years imprisonment in South Africa.
The judgement was on Monday 15th May, 2023 at the Makhanda High court.
The convict, Khululekani Justin Ngqeza’s (36), who had exploited teenage and young women for two years was arrested in May 2020.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by Colonel Priscilla Naidu of the South African Police Service, Office of the Provincial Commissioner Eastern Cape. It was made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA).
It said “Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene has welcomed the 3 life terms and 280 years imprisonment imposed on a serial rapist in the Makhanda High court yesterday, 15 May 2023.
“She also applauded the excellent investigation skills of the Provincial Head Office Family Violence Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (Serial and Electronic Crime Investigation) for ensuring that the unremorseful and shameless rapist remains behind bars for the rest of his life.”
On the convict, the statement said “Khululekani Justin Ngqeza’s (36) crafty and devious ploy to exploit young teenage girls and women through his Facebook page started in 2019 to 2020 when he was finally arrested in May 2020.
“During his 2 year stint, 10 females aged between 15-21 years old were lured by him where he promised them lucrative modelling careers.
“He either met his victims in B & B’s or in secluded bushy areas where he would make them pay for the photographs and then rape them.”
After raping his last victim in May 2020 in Queenstown, the statement revealed that the victim immediately alerted Police and intelligence gathered indicated that he was on his way to Mthatha.
“A roadblock was set up and he was arrested at the Kei Bridge on 19 May 2020. Since his arrest, 6 other victims have come forward and opened cases. Three of his victims are from the Western Cape (Woodstock and Sea Point).
“He remained in custody until the finalisation of his cases. On 6 February 2023 he was found guilty on all of his charges ranging from rape to trafficking in persons. On 15/05, Ngqeza was sentenced as follows:
Humewood case:
Two counts of trafficking in persons, Rape 15 and 18 years imprisonment respectively
“Life imprisonment Queenstown case: Trafficking in Persons and Rape: 18 years imprisonment.
Queenstown Trafficking in Persons: 15 years imprisonment Queenstown Two counts of Trafficking in Persons15 years and 18 years imprisonment respectively.
East London: Trafficking in Persons and Rape
“15 years imprisonment and 12 Years Imprisonment
East London Trafficking in Persons and Attempted Rape 18 years imprisonment
East London Trafficking in Persons and Rape: 18 years imprisonment and Life imprisonment.
Woodstock Trafficking in Persons and Rape: 15 years imprisonment and Life imprisonment
Woodstock Trafficking in Persons and Rape: 15 years imprisonment and 15 years imprisonment
Sea Point Two counts of Trafficking in Persons and Rape: 30 years imprisonment and 10 years.”
The statement said that all the other sentences will run concurrent to the 3 life sentences.
It said “Lt Gen Mene reiterated that these sentences are most certainly a victory for all the victims who have suffered such humiliating degradation at the mercy of a cruel man.
“Lengthy jail sentences such as this brings hope to all victims that justice prevails and that the cycle of violence against women and children can and must be broken.
“Congratulations to the investigating team and to the Investigating Officer, D/Sgt Busisiwe Ncula who ensured that Ngqeza never sees the outside of a prison cell for as long as he lives.
“We will continue to prioritise and fight Gender Based Violence in all its forms. The increasing brutality and violence against women ranks as the highest form of betrayal because the majority of it is in the hands of those they trust,’ added Lt Gen Mene.
