The High Court of South Africa Gauteng Division in Johannesburg has sentenced a group of five men to two life terms for the heinous gang rape and murder of Sinoxolo Noah. Tumelo Pitso, Tebello Moeketsi, Tsepo Ramphalla, Napo Moketo and Thabiso Setona kidnapped Noah on her way to a garage around Crown Mines in Johannesburg on 10 July 2022.

KIDNAPPING

Sinoxolo was trying to protect her mother from criminals when she was abducted, raped and murdered. She had decided to meet her mother daily at a garage as she returned from work daily to ensure her safety. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Phindile Mjonondwane said that the convicted murderers dragged Sinoxolo to the nearby bushes where they gang raped her and took the money that was in her possession. They thereafter strangled her and disposed of her body in a sewerage dam.  Noah’s family became concerned when she never made it to the garage where she was supposed to meet her mother and did not return home. They reported her missing and the police discovered her lifeless body two days after her disappearance at a nearby sewerage dam. "The accused were arrested following a mob justice attack by angry community members that got wind of their involvement in the disappearance of Noah. Investigations later linked three of the accused through DNA swabs obtained from the deceased and the accused," she said.

LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR THE KILLERS  

Mjonondwane said that in persuading the court to impose life imprisonment on the charge of rape and murder, Senior State Advocate Riana Williams stated that the accused opted to kill the deceased after raping her because they knew that she could have identified the accused as the people involved in her kidnapping, robbery and rape as she was a resident in the same area with the accused. "She implored the court to ensure that the men were removed from society for a long period to prevent a repeat of such atrocities. The sentence serves as a testament to the steadfast dedication of Investigating Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Andile Mankanyi and Advocate Riana Williams in pursuing justice on behalf of the deceased and her family. Acts of violence and cruelty will not go unpunished to foster a culture of safety, respect, and dignity," she said.