Mlanderi Abednik Nyuka.
Facebook/Mlanderi Abednik Nyuka
- Former Oudtshoorn mayor Mlandeli Abednik Nyuka sentenced to five years in prison Sentenced to prison for sexual assault.
- The court found that Nyuka abused his position when he sexually assaulted an employee in his office.
- He tried to manipulate her, claiming he would make sure she got a promotion.
The Oudtshoorn Magistrate's Court has sentenced the former Klein Karoo town mayor to five years in prison for sexually assaulting an employee in his office.
Western Cape Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazarira said this was Mlandeli Abednik Nyuka's “second conviction and sentence for sexual assault using the same modus operandi”.
Prosecutor Melvan Saiman told the court that Mr Nyuka called the complainant into his office on the day in question and locked the door.
Initially, he tried to manipulate her, claiming that he would ensure she would get a promotion.
“He then pulled up her dress without her permission and touched her private parts. Fortunately, the phone rang and the defendant answered.
“The complainant then took the opportunity to slip out of the office and ran outside. She was shocked by what happened,” Ntabazarira said.
Read | Oudtshoorn deputy mayor resigns over sexual assault charges
During the trial, Nyuka denied the charges and claimed that the accuser was a member of another faction of their political party, Samstan, which had applied to the High Court to have him removed from office.
“During cross-examination, he claimed that he offered her sexual favors in exchange for everything he did to her.
“He was unable to provide a satisfactory explanation as to why this version was not presented to her and why it was only presented during the defense proceedings.
“She denied his claims and testified that she always supported him in party matters,” Ntabazarira said.
A witness who testified in court and supported the complainant reported the incident to the police.
Judge Sylvia Mandla found that Nyuka had fabricated evidence and abused his “senior position to obtain sexual favors”.
Read | Oudtshoorn deputy mayor keeps his job despite being detained on sexual assault charges
Nyuka was found guilty of sexual assault.
“During the sentencing process, Saiman requested that investigators obtain from the archives case files proving the defendant's previous convictions for sexual assault using the same modus operandi.
“The state argued that he was a sex offender who abused his position. The court sentenced him to five years' direct imprisonment,” Ntabazarira said.
We will update the information as soon as we receive comments from local governments.
