Sandile Hopewell Ngozo convicted of a series of rapes and kidnapping. Image: SABC
(The Post News)- The Ermelo Regional Court has handed down five life sentences and an additional 18 months to Sandile Hopewell Ngozo (25), who was convicted of a series of rapes and kidnapping cases committed between September 2019 and December 2022 in Ermelo and Breyten.
NPA Regional Spokesperson, Monica Nyuswa confirmed in a statement that the accused was convicted on five counts of rape and three counts of kidnapping. “Ngozo’s victims are between 15 and 27 years of age. Three of these incidents happened in Ermelo and two in Breyten KwaZanele,” reads the statement.
Reports state that one of the incidents occurred in September 2019 in Sun City, Ermelo, where Ngozo and his accomplices accosted a woman walking home. She was pulled to the roadside, raped, and then held captive while he continued to assault her.
Nyusa said in the statement, “The second incident took place at KwaZanele, Breyten, in December 2022. The two victims were walking on the street when the accused approached them and asked them to come with him to his place. The accused was known to one of the victims.
“Upon arrival, Ngozo locked them inside the house for several days, during which he continued to rape one of the victims. The victims managed to escape at night and reported the rape ordeal to the police. One of the victims was able to identify the accused to the police and was linked to other crimes through DNA.”
Ngozo pleaded not guilty for rape
Prosecutor Chané Rothman highlighted the prevalence of gender-based violence (GBV) and urged the court to impose the minimum prescribed sentence. “The victims testified about the same modus operandi Ngozo used when accosting them. The court found their accounts credible, convicting Ngozo as charged,” said Rothman.
In aggravation of the sentence, Rothman addressed the court about the prevalence of violence against women and children, and that court rolls are flooded with rape matters, urging the court to impose the prescribed minimum sentence.
During sentencing, the Rothman stressed the seriousness of GBV and the devastating effect it has on women and children. Ngozo received five life terms for rape and six months for each kidnapping charge. The sentences will run concurrently, ensuring he serves life imprisonment.
He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm or work with children, and his name will be added to the National Register for Sexual Offenders.
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