The Mthatha Regional Court has sentenced Eric
Manyinkawu (30), to two life imprisonment terms, for raping a 60-year-old
woman, on two different occasions.
The court ordered the sentence to run
consecutively.
The victim was in an
abusive relationship with Manyinkawu, and they stayed in the same homestead at
Zithathele Area, in the district of Libode.
The abuse was in many
instances reported by the victim to the traditional leader before the rape.
“On the night of
September 28, 2021, Manyinkawu went to the room in which the victim was
sleeping, and demanded to have sex with her, but she refused, telling him that
she was not feeling well.”
“An infuriated Manyinkawu severely
assaulted the victim before raping her. On the following day, the victim went
to the traditional leader, to report the incident. The traditional leader
referred her to the police, but she was allegedly turned back, and only given a
number to call, should he assault her again,” said National Prosecuting
Authority regional spokesperson Luxolo Tyali.
“On the following day, Manyinkawu
violently sexually assaulted the victim again. Afterwards, she managed to sneak
out of her bedroom, went outside and called the number she was given by the
police. Manyinkawu was arrested, still sleeping in the victim’s
bedroom,” Tyali added.
During the trial, Manykawu pleaded not guilty,
denying ever having sex with the elderly woman. However, that was in
contradiction to the warning statement he had given to the police, in which he
claimed that the victim was the one who initiated sexual intercourse.
Regional prosecutor,
Lindile Dwakaza, led the evidence of the police officer, who took the warning
statement, the victim, and the traditional leader. Their evidence
convinced the court that he was guilty as charged.
The court agreed with the prosecutor’s
submission, that Manyinkawu deserved the harshest sentence because not only
rape is prevalent in the country, but in this case, the rapist was supposed to
protect his elderly girlfriend, instead of abusing her in such a gruesome
manner.
Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecution,
Barry Madolo, commended the Prosecutor and the investigating team, for ensuring
that justice is served for the victim of gender-based violence.
