The acting Provincial Commissioner of the Eastern Cape, Major General Thandiswa Kupiso, has welcomed the hefty sentence imposed on a serial rapist by the Gqeberha High Court today, calling it a significant step toward justice and the emancipation of women in society.

Moses Gqesha (45) was sentenced to eight life terms plus an additional 34 years in prison after being convicted on 12 counts related to a horrific crime spree in December 2010. The charges included kidnapping, robbery, assault, and multiple counts of rape.

The court heard that on 9 December 2010, the victim was kidnapped, assaulted, robbed, and repeatedly raped in the bushes after taking an evening stroll at Kings Beach in Gqeberha. The case went cold for years until meticulous investigative work by detectives linked Gqesha’s DNA to the crime.

Gqesha was finally arrested on 30 January 2024 in the Summerstrand area after being linked to a separate theft case in Newton Park. He remained in custody throughout the trial.

Gqesha was convicted and sentenced as follows:

All sentences will run concurrently, and Gqesha’s name will be entered into the National Sexual Offences Register.

Maj. Gen. Kupiso praised the investigative team for their dedication, stating, “This sentence will go a long way toward achieving parity and emancipation for women in society. The excellent investigative work and proper crime scene management ensured justice for the victim nearly 14 years after her ordeal.”

She also commended Detective Warrant Officer Thabang Shilajoe from the Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences Unit, as well as National Prosecuting Authority Advocate Ismat Cerfontein, for their role in securing the conviction.

“This sentence is a decisive victory for the victim, who endured humiliation and degradation at the hands of a remorseless criminal,” Kupiso said. “While this outcome reinforces justice, we must remember that countless victims of gender-based violence still suffer in silence. The SAPS remains committed to holding perpetrators accountable.”

The case highlights the importance of forensic evidence and sustained investigative efforts in securing convictions for gender-based violence, even years after the crimes were committed.

Source