Latest news with #MosesGqesha
Zawya
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Select Committee on Justice Chairperson Welcomes 8 Life Terms for Rape of Businesswoman
The Chairperson of the Select Committee on Security and Justice, Ms Jane Mananiso, welcomed the long-term sentence, of eight life terms, for convicted rapist Mr Moses Gqesha. Mr Gqesha's charges included kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, theft, and multiple counts of rape to a gender-based violence activist, Ms Andisiwe Andy Kawa on 9 December 2010, at King's Beach in Summerstrand, Gqeberha. Mr Gqesha was arrested in 2020 for an unrelated incident and forensic evidence taken from Ms Kawa in 2010 linked him to the rape. 'Firstly, we want to applaud the South African Police Services for safeguarding the forensic evidence taken from Ms Kawa in 2010, that linked the rapist later to these heinous crimes. It was because of this act that this criminal will not face years behind bars and pay for his crimes,' said Ms Mananiso. 'Furthermore, we want to commend the National Prosecuting Authority for a successful prosecution especially because the accused denied the charges even after he was linked with forensic evidence. This is truly commendable. 'In a country that experienced high rates of gender-based violence and femicide, this is a victory for those thousands of women either still struggling for justice and those who fear speaking up against perpetrators. This is a sign that the wheels of justice do indeed turn,' emphasized Ms Mananiso. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
The Citizen
15-05-2025
- The Citizen
Andy Kawa's daughter confronts rapist and calls for DNA backlog to be cleared
Moses Gqesha was handed eight life sentences for rape on Thursday. Moses Gqesha appears at the Gqeberha High Court during the rape trial of Andy Kawa on 4 March 2025. Picture: Gallo Images/Die Burger/Lulama Zenzile Emotions ran high in court as daughter of Gauteng businesswoman Andiswa 'Andy' Kawa, confronted her mother's rapist, Moses Gqesha. The confrontation took place shortly after the Eastern Cape High Court in Bhisho handed Gqesha eight life sentences on Thursday. The sentencing followed his conviction in March. Judgment in Andy Kawa rape trial Delivering judgment, Judge Phillip Zilwa heavily criticised Gqesha's actions and disregard for the rights of others, particularly women. 'He clearly regarded the complainant as an object on which he can do as he pleases,' the judge said. Zilwa said that after considering submissions from both the state and defence, he could find no compelling or substantial factors that would justify deviating from the prescribed sentences in the Criminal Procedure Act (CPA). ALSO READ: Court criticises father who impregnated daughter as rape sentence appeal rejected The court imposed eight life terms for eight counts of rape. In addition, Gqesha received 10 years for kidnapping, 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances, five years for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH), and four years for theft. Zilwa ordered that all sentences run concurrently. Andiswa 'Andy' Kawa (R) testifies at Gqeberha High Court on 4 March 2025. Picture: Gallo Images/Die Burger/Lulama Zenzile Shortly after sentencing, Kawa's daughter, Celiwe, stood up and directly addressed the man convicted of brutalising her mother. 'This is just absolutely unacceptable. You can't even look at me. 'You don't even have the courage to look at me staring at the newspaper. It's completely disgusting and unacceptable,' she said. Emotional toll on Andy Kawa and family Speaking to the media following the sentencing, Celiwe opened up about the emotional impact the attack and subsequent trial had on her mother. 'Can you imagine being asked in a court of law to recount the worst night of your life? 'Can you then imagine listening to the defence say one of the mitigating factors is that you were not murdered? So the emotional toll is immense,' she said. 'You might see my mom who stood in court strong, but she's someone who's had multiple sleepless nights, who's no longer been able to work and whose memory has been greatly impacted,' Celiwe added. READ MORE: Father handed two life terms for rape and murder of eight-day-old daughter She also issued a call to government to tackle the severe DNA backlog that continues to hinder justice in gender-based violence (GBV) cases. 'I think healing is a very long road, but what would bring healing is seeing concrete action by the government. 'You mentioned the DNA evidence, and there is an incredible backlog of over 100 000 rape tests that have not been tested. 'Without DNA, we wouldn't be here today, and what will bring healing is seeing the government clear that backlog and carve a path forward where victims no longer have to wait so long for DNA evidence.' 'Weak human being' Commenting further on her courtroom confrontation, Celiwe criticised Gqesha's conduct throughout the trial. 'He's someone who, throughout this court case, feigning being ill, has tried to maintain a sense of control not only that day over my mother but also over these court proceedings. 'And I think with his failure to even be able to look at me when I asked him to, it shows that he is someone who is an incredibly weak human being.' READ MORE: Police sergeant abuses power, gets 20 years for raping victim inside police station She concluded by stressing the importance of reclaiming power from perpetrators of violence. 'It is really important that we no longer as a society let these predators have any sense of control over South Africa. 'All of us really need to regain that sense of control, and they're the ones who should feel marginalised and on the sidelines, not victims.' Delayed justice Kawa was abducted and raped on Kings Beach in Gqeberha while on a business trip on 9 December 2010. She managed to escape the following morning. However, it took 14 years for her attacker to be found. Gqesha was initially arrested for theft in June 2020, but was released after the case was withdrawn. A DNA match subsequently linked him to Kawa's case in June 2023. Despite this, it took police months to arrest him. He was eventually found sleeping on a park bench in Summerstrand in January 2024. Andy Kawa sues police In 2018, Kawa successfully sued the minister of police for negligence related to delays in investigating her case. Although the Eastern Cape High Court awarded her damages, the ruling was later overturned by the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA). Kawa then appealed to the Constitutional Court (ConCourt), which ruled in her favour in 2022. NOW READ: Man sentenced to life for repeated rape of teen in KZN
IOL News
15-05-2025
- IOL News
Moses Gqesha sentenced to eight life terms for the brutal rape of businesswoman Andy Kawa
Justice served: Moses Gqesha receives eight life sentences for raping entrepreneur Andy Kawa. Image: File Moses Gqesha has been sentenced to eight life terms and 34 years for 12 counts including robbery, assault, theft and rape of Gauteng businesswoman Andy Kawa. The sentence was handed down by the Eastern Cape High Court on Thursday. Gqesha attacked and raped Kawa in a terrifying night for nearly 15 hours near Kings Beach in December 2010 before she escaped in the morning. In an emotional moment, Kawa's daughter confronted the convicted rapist in the court. "This is absolutely unacceptable, you can't even look at me. You don't even have the courage to look at me, you're staring at the newspaper it is completely disgusting and unacceptable," she said. After the ordeal, Kawa became a gender-based violence (GBV) advocate and author. She described the life-changing experience in a memoir. Kwanele, enough! My Battle with the SAPS to get Justice for Women. The entrepreneur claimed the police did not do enough to find her that night, nor did they swiftly acquire physical evidence, question prospective suspects and witnesses, or investigate video footage, among other things. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ In 2018, she recounted memories from the night of the attack. She said that while immersing her feet in the ocean and texting a friend, she looked up and spotted a man who instantly made her feel uneasy. "The eyes, there was something about his eyes that caught my attention. He had very angry eyes," she said. "He grabbed me from the back and gave me a few punches, he told me not to shout, or he would kill me." Kawa attempted to flee, but her attacker tied her down with a knife to her throat and threatened to murder her. IOL News
The Herald
15-05-2025
- The Herald
Andy Kawa finally gets justice as rapist sentenced to life
Moses Gqesha, the man convicted of raping Gauteng businesswoman Andy Kawa in 2010, was handed an effective life sentence in the Gqeberha high court on Thursday morning. Moses, 50, could do nothing but listen as judge Phillip Zilwa handed him eight life sentences — one for each of his rape convictions which had occurred over several hours at Kings Beach. The sentences will run concurrently. Zilwa said Gqesha showed no remorse for his actions and he saw no reason to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence. He likened Gqesha to a predator who 'prowled' the streets and saw women as 'fair prey'. The Herald
The Herald
14-05-2025
- The Herald
Rapist storms out of court before sentencing
Just as proceedings were about to start in the Gqeberha high court on Wednesday morning, convicted rapist Moses Gqesha bizarrely stood up in the dock and walked back down the stairs to the holding cells. Moments earlier, as the judge entered the court to hear argument in mitigation and aggravation of sentence, a court orderly walked over to Gqesha to get him to sit upright. But Gqesha stood up, and with a dismissive gesture to the judge, he walked out. The court was then forced to adjourn as those seated in the public gallery erupted in disbelief. Gqesha was found guilty in March of raping Johannesburg businesswoman Andy Kawa multiple times in an all-night ordeal at Kings Beach in December 2010. This is a developing story. The Herald
