It was during a Life Orientation class on sexual relations that the victim broke down and cried, prompting a follow-up by the teacher to whom she confided.
That resulted in the arrest of the perpetrator at his home in Mnyolo location in Ngcobo on 05 July 2023. As a result of this Awethu Rivers Mali (41), was recently convicted and sentenced by Ngcobo regional court to life imprisonment for raping his then 15-year-old neighbor and relative, who reported ordeal more than two years after being violated on 14 February 2021.
With no forensic evidence, Regional Court Prosecutor Zisanda Gwadiso led the compelling evidence of the complainant and the crucial evidence of the Life Orientation teacher to whom the first report was made. The court heard that on the afternoon of the date of the incident, the accused was at the complainant’s home, which was also operating as a shebeen. He found the victim alone washing her school uniform in one of the rooms and bought an alcoholic beverage from her.
While drinking, they were conversing. He suddenly went out, and on coming back, he closed both doors and threw the teenager on the bed, covered her mouth with a work suit jacket he was wearing and raped her without protection. He then ordered her to wash herself in the washing basin, and water she was washing her uniform in and watched her wash. He then threatened her with death if she told anyone about the incident before leaving.
Meanwhile, the Eastern Cape Acting Director of Public Prosecutions (ADPP), Advocate Samkelo Mtwana welcomed the sentence, heaped praises on the teacher who not only reported the case but became the State’s key witness. “The perpetrator would still be roaming the streets and preying on other young girls, had the teacher ignored the cries of the pupil,” said Adv Mtwana.
