GQEBERHA - 'FACEBOOK' RAPIST WHO PREYED ON WOMEN AND GIRLS IN MOTHERWELL GETS MULTIPLE LIFE SENTENCES

Thembenkosi Ngcolomba’s (44) crafty and devious actions started playing out in 2016 until 2018 when he was finally apprehended. 

During 2016 to 2018, nine females aged between 15-31 years old were lured by him and raped, some raped twice. 

Ngcolomba picked his prey by befriending them on Facebook which eventually resulted in a personal meeting. 

He profiled himself on Facebook as a famous local soccer star and after gaining the attention of the victims, he arranged for them to meet him in NU 29 in Motherwell, the area in which he also resides. 

In all the cases, he chose the same meeting spot and when he met his victims, he offered them an explanation that he was the uncle of the soccer star and that the soccer star was engaged hence he was sent to fetch them. 

While walking, he would produce a screwdriver or a knife, threaten them and rape them in an open field between NU 13 and NU 29.  

In six cases, he robbed his victims of their cellphones and cash.

His demeaning actions ended in 2018 when like a fish, he caught the bait two days after raping his last victim.

 On 16 February 2018, with the assistance of his last victim’s family, police nabbed him after he agreed to meet his ‘victim’, a police official as per the usual arrangements. 

He was arrested by D/Capt Ruiters and his team. 

He was also positively identified by the victims. 

His cellphone and the screwdriver used to threaten his victims were found in his possession. 

He was still clad in the same clothing worn two days ago.

He remained in custody until the finalisation of the case. On Wednesday, 1 December 2021, he was sentenced as follows:

Six life term imprisonment on 6 cases of rape (3 victims were raped twice)

5 x 20 years imprisonment for rape

6 x 15 years imprisonment for robbery.

One of the victim’s had chosen not to testify and the case was withdrawn against him. 

The 20 and 15 year sentences will run concurrent to the 6 life sentences.

Maj Gen Dladla reiterated that these sentences are most certainly a victory for all the victims who have suffered such humiliating degradation at the mercy of a cruel man. ‘Lengthy jail sentences such as this brings hope to all victims that justice prevails and that the cycle of violence against women and children can and must be broken. The investigating officer is highly commended for ensuring that Ngcolomba never sees the outside of a prison cell for as long as he lives. We will continue to prioritise and intensify our efforts in protecting women, children and the vulnerable groups against gender based violence (GBV). Women have human rights and it is our duty to ensure that these rights are not violated,’ added Maj Gen Dladla.

SAPS