Crime

Man sentenced to 17 years for kidnapping a teacher

After he was arrested for kidnapping a teacher Bongani Nkalitshana escaped from Police cells only to commit the same crime to another teachers

Bongani Nkalitshana, 32, received a 17-year prison sentence from the Regional Court of Maluti in Matatiele, Eastern Cape Province, on Tuesday. He appeared before the court facing charges of housebreaking, assault, theft, and kidnapping.

Nkalitshana forcefully entered the home of Palesa Ntloa, a teacher in Matatiele, during the night. Armed with a metal rod, he attacked Ntloa as she was preparing for bed, striking her on the head. During the assault, he demanded money, cell phones, and car keys from her. After obtaining these items, he forced Ntloa into her car and drove to the secluded Mvenyane forest. En route, he coerced Ntloa into transferring money to his account. Their actions were observed by Abongile Nkomazana, a hunter, who noticed Ntloa’s injuries and promptly contacted the police. Upon realizing he had been spotted, Nkalitshana fled the scene using Ntloa ‘s car. He was arrested by police and security guards who blocked the road on R56..

He pleaded guilty to all four counts, expressing remorse for his actions. He admitted to breaking into Palesa Ntloa’s home with the intention of robbery, assaulting her multiple times, stealing her belongings, including a laptop, cellphone, and car, and kidnapping her by restricting her freedom of movement.

In her statement, Ntloa described the trauma she experienced as a result of the incident, stating that her life would never be the same again. She emphasized her lack of trust in others and the ongoing counseling she requires, expressing her belief that Nkalitshana deserves severe punishment.

Magistrate Nombuso Nqwenani of the Maluti  Regional Court found Nkalitshana guilty on all counts, noting his prior criminal history, which included previous convictions for escaping from jail in 2014, theft in 2016, housebreaking in 2018, and kidnapping, theft, and property damage in 2023.

Nqwenani emphasized the seriousness of the offenses and the impact on the victim’s life, particularly the repeated stabbing during the assault. Considering public safety and the victim’s interests, Nqwenani determined that a 17-year sentence was appropriate, citing Nkalitshana’s failure to rehabilitate despite prior opportunities.

The sentence serves as a deterrent and reflects the gravity of the crimes committed, indicating the court’s commitment to addressing gender-based violence and ensuring justice for victims.

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