DNA evidence has helped secure a life imprisonment sentence for a 34-year-old man convicted of raping a 23-year-old woman living with a disability in Ngqayi, Eastern Cape.
Lindile Sijobo Mgoboza was sentenced on 29 October 2026 after DNA results linked him to the rape, which took place on 26 December 2021 at Mahlathini Location, under the Upper Nxaxa Administrative Area.
The victim was reportedly on her way to fetch water at around 14:10 when she encountered Mgoboza, who allegedly dragged her to his home and raped her.
Investigating the case presented additional challenges because the victim was unable to speak and had never attended school to learn sign language.
With the assistance of her family and a psychologist, the investigating detective managed to obtain a statement from the victim, leading to Mgoboza’s arrest on 5 January 2022.
He first appeared at the Tlokoeng Magistrate’s Court on 7 January 2022 and was granted bail while police awaited DNA results. The matter was subsequently struck off the roll pending the results.
The case was reinstated earlier this year after DNA evidence linked Mgoboza to the crime. He appeared in court again on 4 March 2026 and was remanded in custody during the trial.
He was ultimately sentenced to life imprisonment for rape.
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