The convicted East London rapist, Anda Nogwanya (24), admitted to having smoked dagga with friends before returning home under influence when he found his grandmother lying in bed and decided to rape her.
Last Monday, 04 November 2024, the East London High Court sentenced Nogwanya to 20 years imprisonment after pleading guilty to raping his 76-year-old maternal grandmother on 6 December 2022 at Emigeni Informal Settlement, Ducats South in East London, Eastern Cape. Anda, the biological grandson of the now-deceased complainant, suffered from advanced Alzheimer’s dementia rendering her mentally incapacitated and physically frail.
On the day of the incident, granny was left alone in her shack by her daughter (the mother of a rapist) when he arrived in the early afternoon, undressed gogo, and put on a condom before raping her he was interrupted by his younger brother who heard their grandmother’s cries.
The court heard that Nogwanya was found still naked, falsely claimed he was about to bathe, pushed them away and fled, clad only in a towel. The matter was reported to the police, and the complainant was medically examined. A laceration was noted consistent with sexual assault.
She was further assessed by a clinical psychologist who concluded that she was both mentally and physically disabled and, therefore rendered extremely vulnerable. Anda claimed that he had initially intended to use the condom with his girlfriend. During sentencing, Advocate Andile Nohiya vigorously argued for an appropriate sentence, emphasizing the severity of the crime against a vulnerable victim and the need for justice to be served.
Advocate Nohiya stressed that the accused’s actions demonstrated a blatant disregard for his grandmother’s dignity and well-being and that the sentences should reflect the gravity of the offence.
Meanwhile, the Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, Barry Madolo, praised the sentence, stating that it reflects the NPA’s dedication to safeguarding vulnerable individuals and upholding justice.
