CENTANE- A 32-year-old man has been sentenced to 30 years direct imprisonment for kidnapping and raping an 11-year-old girl during a traditional ceremony in Centane, the National Prosecuting Authority(NPA) in the Eastern Cape confirmed on Wednesday.
Lithemba Manyewu Sikhunana(32) was sentenced by the Centane Regional Court on 22 May 2026.
The court heard the offences took place on 29 June 2024 in the Takazi Administrative Area.
According to the State, the girl was attending a traditional ceremony with her mother when Sikhunana made inappropriate remarks about her virginity.
Later, while she was walking with other children he followed her, grabbed her forcibly and dragged her into a nearby bush where he raped her.
The court heard the child pleaded with the accused and told him she was a minor, but he continued the assault. Her screams prompted a community search, which forced Sikhunana to flee.
Her clothing was recovered at the scene and a medical examination at the Butterworth Hospital Thuthuzela Care Centre confirmed sexual assault.
Furthmore, the State Prosecutor Siyabonga Manase argued for the prescribed minimum sentence, telling the court the evidence was credible, consistent and corroborated by medical findings.
Sikhunana denied the charges, claiming he mistook the child for an adult he knew. The court rejected his version as false beyond reasonable doubt.
Acting Director of Public Prosecutions in the Eastern Cape, Adv Samkelo Mtwana welcomed the sentence, saying it sent a clear message that crimes against children would not be tolerated.
“We remain committed to protecting vulnerable victims and ensuring perpetrators are held accountable,” Mtwana said.
He thanked Court Preparation Officer Brenda Tyukala and the Butterworth Hospital Thuthuzela Care Centre for their role in building a strong case.
In addition NPA said it remains committed to the protection of children and the prosecution of sexual offences.
Photograph: Istock Images
Leave a Reply