HANKEY – The Senior Management of the South African Police Service in Eastern Cape has welcomed the two life sentences handed down to child murderer and rapist, Andile Mbele (42), who was sentenced in the Gqeberha High Court on Monday, 31 November 2022.

Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Thandiswa Kupiso has welcomed the two life sentences handed down to Andile Mbele for raping and murdering Aqhama Tom (9), as well as five year for kidnapping her in Hankey two years ago.  Even though this sentence will never bring back Aqhama’s life, but it would bring solace to her family and to the community of Hankey.  

The court heard a watertight case presented by the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (Humansdorp), which led to the conviction and sentencing of Mbele for murder, rape and kidnapping.

Mbele was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and another life imprisonment for raping Aqhama Tom (9), and was also sentenced to five year imprisonment for a charge of kidnapping, this comes after the High Court heard that Mbele kidnapped Aqhama on Sunday, 13 September 2020.  The following day, Mbele was arrested and later led the police to the scene in Weston, Hankey, where he pointed out the body of Aqhama.  The evidence that was presented by the detectives ranging from forensic to oral evidence led to the accused’s conviction and subsequent sentencing on Monday, 31 October 2022.  The sentences will run concurrently.

Source: South African Police Service