MTHATHA - Thabile “Bhino” Nyakiso (32) has been sentenced to eight life terms for a series of rapes committed in Tsolo between 2016 and 2017.
The Mthatha High Court sentenced him to 15 years’ imprisonment for each of the counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances and 12 months’ imprisonment for common robbery.
Acting Judge Fikile Ntayiya recommended that Nyakiso not be considered for parole until he has served 30 years of his sentences.
Evidence presented in court showed that Nyakiso and another unidentified person committed rapes and robberies around Tsolo, targeting women walking at New Homes and Crossbow townships.
Eastern Cape NPA spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said during some of the attacks, Nyakiso robbed victims of money, bank cards and cellphones.
“The victims did not know him. Forensic DNA profiling linked him to swabs collected from them. He had been arrested in connection with a separate rape case in Butterworth, more than 150 kilometres from Tsolo.
“During the trial, Nyakiso pleaded guilty but questioned the DNA evidence's accuracy. State Advocate Avumile Bikitsha called a witness from the National Forensic Laboratory as part of the State’s 45 witnesses,” he said.
The court heard the first victim was a 16-year-old girl who was attacked on 19 June 2016. On 22 July 2016, Nyakiso attacked a 22-year-old woman near the Tsolo Circuit office.
On 18 November 2016, he raped another 16-year-old victim multiple times near New Homes township.
“While giving evidence, she told the court that during the ordeal she asked Nyakiso how he would feel if someone did the same to his sister. This did not stop him from continuing the attack.”
On 27 May 2017, a 26-year-old woman was raped in her rented room at Kobi Flats in Tsolo. On 1 August 2017, Nyakiso raped two victims, aged 29 and 39, on separate occasions. He then attacked an 18-year-old woman near Crossbow Township on 12 August 2017, a 24-year-old woman in the same township on 21 September 2017, and another victim on 6 November 2017, where the 27-year-old was raped in her house in New Homes Township.
“For sentencing, the court agreed with the state’s submission that society did not deserve people like Nyakiso in its midst. The judge noted that Nyakiso, who has another rape case pending before the same court, was inhumane and had shown no remorse for his offences.”
The Director of Public Prosecutions in the Eastern Cape, Advocate Samkelo Mtwana, said the sentence reaffirmed the prosecution’s firm stance against violent crime. He commended the prosecutor and investigating officer for their meticulous collection and presentation of evidence.