The Mdantsane Regional Court has sentenced Monde Mzondi, aged 36, to four life imprisonment terms for the brutal rape of two women, aged 19 and 22, as well as an additional five years for sexual assault.
The crimes took place six years ago in Siviwe Location, near Qumrha, where both victims resided and knew Mzondi.
Before the horrific events, Mzondi had approached the two women, asking them to sell dagga on his behalf, but they had refused.
On the afternoon of March 6, 2018, Mzondi lured the women to his home, promising them a bottle of brandy.
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Once they arrived, he locked the door and forced them to strip naked.
He then took a cell phone from one of the victims and captured their images, threatening to share them on social media if they did not comply with his demands.
Brandishing a knife, Mzondi forced the women into his bedroom, where he assaulted them repeatedly without using protection.
He later coerced them to wash their private parts with water mixed with a black powder, falsely claiming it would eliminate any evidence of the assault.
Despite Mzondi’s threats to harm their families if they reported the incident, the courageous victims immediately informed their relatives.
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A case was swiftly opened with the police, and the women were taken to the Mdantsane Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC) for urgent medical and psychological support. Mzondi was arrested soon after.
During the trial, Mzondi pleaded not guilty, alleging that the women were his casual sexual partners, whom he occasionally paid for sex.
However, regional court prosecutor Phillip Phoofolo presented compelling evidence, including testimonies from the victims, medical reports, and DNA samples collected at the TCC.
The court found Mzondi’s defense to be highly improbable and rejected it outright.
In the sentencing phase, the prosecutor submitted a victim impact statement prepared by the court preparation officer (CPO).
The statement highlighted the extreme fear the victims experienced due to Mzondi’s actions and the psychological toll it had taken on them, including a significant loss of confidence in the criminal justice system due to the lengthy duration of the case.
The court’s decision to impose multiple life sentences underscores the seriousness of the crimes committed and serves as a powerful message against sexual violence.
The case highlights the importance of swift justice and the need for continued support for survivors of such heinous acts.
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