DNA EVIDENCE GETS RAPIST SENTENCED TO 31 YEARS IN JAIL!

A 31-year-old man has been sentenced to 25 years’ direct imprisonment by the Butterworth Regional Court after DNA evidence linked him to two rape incidents that occurred in Dutywa.

The first incident took place on 30 October 2022 when a 41-year-old woman was raped by an unknown man while walking home from a local tavern during the early hours of the morning. The victim reported the matter to police and a rape case was opened for investigation. At the time, the suspect was unknown and the case was later closed as undetected.

In a separate incident on 7 December 2022, a 46-year-old woman was attacked and raped by an unknown man while she was in open fields searching for traditional herbs. The suspect, who was armed with a bush knife, assaulted the victim before raping her. The matter was reported to police and a case was opened for investigation.

Both victims were taken to a Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC) for medical examinations where forensic samples were collected for DNA analysis.

The Forensic Science Laboratory later found that the same male DNA profile was linked to both rape incidents. The cases were then reopened for further investigation and assigned to Detective Warrant Officer Siyabulela Yeyana.

Through further investigation, a person of interest was identified and buccal samples were obtained for DNA comparison. The results came back positive, linking the suspect to both rape cases.

The suspect, Ayanda Sotyato, was arrested on 16 September 2024 and charged in connection with both incidents. He appeared before the Dutywa District Court where the investigating officer successfully opposed his bail application.

The matter was later transferred to the Butterworth Regional Court, where the accused made his appearance on 27 February 2025.

On 02 March 2026, the accused was convicted on both counts of rape and sentenced to an effective 25 years’ direct imprisonment.