In a case that has shocked South Africa’s Eastern Cape province, Anele Skunyana, a 35-year-old taxi driver from Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), has been sentenced to seven life terms for a series of brutal assaults committed between 2013 and 2019....𝐑̲𝐄̲𝐀̲𝐃̲ 𝐅̲𝐔̲𝐋̲𝐋̲ 𝐀̲𝐑̲𝐓̲𝚰̲𝐂̲𝐋̲𝐄̲ 𝐅̲𝐑̲𝐎̲𝐌̲ 𝐓̲𝐇̲𝐄̲ 𝐒̲𝐎̲𝐔̲𝐑̲𝐂̲𝐄̲
The Gqeberha High Court handed down the sentence, which also includes additional time for multiple kidnapping charges.
Skunyana, who operated as a jikeleza (local slang for an unlicensed taxi) driver, was already serving a 14-year sentence for a sexual assault committed in 2019 when DNA evidence linked him to seven other assault cases spanning six years. The court heard the harrowing details of Skunyana’s crimes:
-In March 2013, he forcefully slept with a 26-year-old woman who was walking in Gqamlana Street, New Brighton.
-In September 2013, he dragged an 18-year-old teenager into a passage and slept with her.
-In November 2013, he forcefully slept with a 23-year-old woman in Makina Street, Zwide.
-In February 2018, he sexually assaulted a young girl in Mahlangu Street, New Brighton.
-In December 2018, he slept with another young girl in New Brighton.
-In September 2018, he sexually assaulted a female on Sansucci Road, Despatch.
-In March 2019, he committed another sexual assault in Kwamagxaki.
Skunyana pleaded guilty to all charges. The court sentenced him to seven life terms for the rape charges and an additional 5 years for each of the 6 kidnapping charges. These sentences will run concurrently with his existing 14-year sentence.
This case has highlighted the vulnerability of passengers using public transportation in South Africa, where the majority of the population relies on taxis, buses, and trains for daily commutes.
The taxi industry, in particular, plays a crucial role in the country’s transportation system, especially in areas underserved by formal public transit.
The severity of Skunyana’s crimes and the length of time over which they were committed have raised questions about passenger safety and the need for stricter regulations and background checks for taxi drivers.
Community leaders and women’s rights advocates are calling for increased security measures and awareness campaigns to protect vulnerable commuters.
The case also underscores the importance of DNA evidence in solving cold cases and bringing serial offenders to justice.
The successful prosecution of Skunyana may encourage authorities to allocate more resources to processing backlogged DNA samples and improving the capacity of forensic laboratories.
As the community of Gqeberha grapples with the aftermath of these crimes, there are renewed calls for comprehensive strategies to address gender-based violence in South Africa.
This includes improved support for survivors, enhanced law enforcement training, and educational programs aimed at changing societal attitudes towards women and girls.
The sentencing of Anele Skunyana serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by women in South Africa and the critical need for continued efforts to ensure their safety in all aspects of daily life, including public transportation…CONTINUE READING>>
