Siyabonga Prince Cele was sentenced to life and 25 years imprisonment for a crime spree he went on in Inanda and Phoenix, north of Durban, in March 2022. Picture: UNSPLASH FREE DOWNLOADS

In March 2022, Siyabonga Prince Cele went on a crime spree in Inanda and Phoenix. He was eventually apprehended when police confronted him at a petrol station. He was in possession of a stolen vehicle. This week the Ntuzuma Regional Court sentenced Mr Cele, 23, to a term of life and 25 years imprisonment for the rape, robbery with aggravating circumstances, attempted murder and kidnapping.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said, on March 12, 2022 Mr Cele and other accomplices hijacked a motor vehicle in the Inanda area.

“The complainant, who worked as a metered-car driver, was dropping off a passenger when Cele and his accomplices approached him (the driver) with knives and firearms. They assaulted him, pulled him out of the vehicle and drove off. They then came across the female complainant who was walking on the road. They grabbed her and forced her into the back seat of the motor vehicle.”

Ms Ramkisson-Kara said Mr Cele forced her to undress and when she refused, he stabbed her on various parts of her body. He eventually raped her. Thereafter they found a bank card in her possession and drove to a petrol station where they filled up the vehicle.

“At the petrol station, they were approached by police officials who had identified the vehicle as being stolen. Cele and the suspects then fired several shots at the police as they fled the scene. However, they crashed the motor vehicle and Cele was apprehended. The complainant who was found bleeding in the backseat of the vehicle was taken to the Phoenix Thuthuzela Care Centre, for medical and psycho-social assistance,” said Ms Ramkisson-Kara.

In court, Advocate Naushaad Harripersadh led the testimonies of the three complainants: the driver, the woman and the police official who was shot at by Mr Cele and his accomplices. DNA evidence linking Mr Cele to the rape; crime scene evidence, and medical evidence (J88 form) were also part of the state’s case. The metered-car driver said that his sole income and livelihood were destroyed as the vehicle was damaged beyond repair. The woman said that she had suffered physical and emotional trauma during the incident. She also mentioned that she had to leave the area and relocate because she lived in fear, following what had happened to her.

“Mr Cele was sentenced to life imprisonment for rape, 15 years imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances, 5 years imprisonment for attempted murder, and 5 years imprisonment for kidnapping. The sentences will run concurrently, resulting in the effective sentence of life imprisonment. In addition, the court declared him unfit to possess a firearm and ordered that his details be entered in the National Register for Sex Offenders,” said Ms Ramkisson-Kara.

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