DNA evidence traps construction worker for multiple brutal rapes!

A 31-year-old serial rapist who terrorised three young victims across the Eastern Cape will spend the rest of his days behind bars.

Sibulele Fempulana was handed three life sentences by the Mthatha Regional Court after being found guilty on three counts of rape. The victims were aged 24, 17, and just 11 years old.

In a move to ensure the monster never sees the sun anytime soon, Magistrate Litha Madikizela ordered one of the life terms to run consecutively to the other two. This means Fempulana must serve two full life sentences before he can even be considered for parole.

Trail of Terror in Construction Towns

The court heard how Fempulana used his jobs as a construction worker to hunt for victims in different towns. In November 2019, while working in Ngqeleni, he followed a 24-year-old woman from a local tavern, dragged her into the bushes, and raped her multiple times.

He was arrested that same day, but the case was later withdrawn by the Ngqeleni Magistrates’ Court despite strong protests from the prosecution.

Free to roam, Fempulana moved to Libode in 2022 for another construction project. On 06 August 2022, he snatched an 11-year-old child who was on her way to the shop for her mother. He dragged the little girl into a nearby forest, raped her, and fled the town.

DNA Snares the Runner

While the police were hunting for him, Fempulana struck again in Mqanduli, raping a 17-year-old teenager.

But his past quickly caught up with him. Forensic DNA evidence taken during his 2019 arrest directly linked him to the horrific Libode child rape case. The Director of Public Prosecutions stepped in, re-enrolled the withdrawn Ngqeleni case, and centralised all the charges in Mthatha.

Caught in Lies During Trial

Fempulana pleaded not guilty to all charges, boldly claiming that the victims had consented. However, Acting Regional Court Prosecutor Afikile Sovendle tore his story apart during cross-examination.

Fempulana contradicted himself so badly on the stand that he eventually shut up and exercised his right to remain silent. The brave testimonies of the three victims, assisted by Court Preparation Officer Nontlahla Siphika, alongside medical reports, sealed his fate.

The Eastern Cape Acting Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Samkelo Mtwana, welcomed the heavy sentence, praising the victims for their courage and the team for securing justice.