| Acting Provincial Commissioner hails the life sentencing of a rapist | |
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| Date Published: | 2026/01/23 |
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Media Statement NELSPRUIT - The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi has welcomed the life sentence handed down to a rapist, named Xolani Josiah Mayisela (40). The hefty sentence was imposed by the Evander Regional Court on Wednesday, 21 January 2026. The court heard how the incident occurred in Kinross during December 2021, whereby the female victim, aged 55 at the time and was unfortunately raped by her ex-male friend. On 16 December 2021 at around 17:00 the victim, who works as a Domestic Worker, was at Kinross and was in the bedroom busy ironing some clothes for her employers. Whilst talking on the phone with her sister, she suddenly noticed her ex-male friend, whom she had a Protection Order against, coming into the bedroom. She was shocked and wondered how the man gained entry as the gates were locked with the electric fence activated. Mayisela then mocked the victim, saying that she thought she was clever. He further said that there was no piece of paper (referring to the Protection Order) that would stop him to gain access to her (the victim). It was during this time when he became violent towards her. He then assaulted her with the iron until she collapsed. When she regained conscious, she realized that Mayisela was raping her. She pushed him away and ran to the main house but he followed her. He grabbed her and dragged her back to the bedroom then repeatedly raped her the whole night. He further threatened to kill her and her family before he fled. The victim got assistance from the family of her employers the next day and the Police were notified. A case was eventually opened at Kinross SAPS then assigned to the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit. Police worked around the clock where they traced and arrested Mayisela. The state presented a watertight case against him and he was found guilty on 05 November 2025. He was sentenced as follows: - On Count 1 of Rape, he was sentenced to Life Imprisonment - On Count 2 of Contravening of the Protection Order, he was sentenced to two (02) years imprisonment. - On Count 3 of Assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, he was sentenced to five (05)years imprisonment. The Court ordered that all sentences to run concurrently with the life imprisonment (the sentence on Count 1) Mayisela was also declared unfit to possess a firearm. His particulars will be included in National Register for Sex Offenders. The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi further commended the investigating team, the Prosecution team and the Judiciary which culminated into a well deserved sentence. "We are pleased with the successful outcome of this case and this is a testament that anyone who violate a Protection Order will be dealt with accordingly. People should not consider Protection Orders as useless but are encouraged to report any violations to the authorities, " said the General. Ends
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