By Anita Dangazele
- Andy Kawa was raped eight times by Moses Gqesha in an attack on a Gqeberha beach.
- He was caught years later after stealing a lawnmower, and his DNA matched the rape case.
Businesswoman Andy Kawa finally saw her rapist sent to jail nearly 15 years after he attacked her.
Andy, now 62, had been visiting her parents in Gqeberha when she went for a walk on the beach. She was attacked at knifepoint by Moses Gqesha, who forced her into the dunes and raped her eight times during the night.
At the time, police took a DNA sample from her, but it didn’t match anyone.
It was only in 2022, when Gqesha was arrested for stealing a lawnmower, that police took his DNA again. This time, it matched the one taken from Andy back in 2010.
The case finally went to court after many delays. Andy didn’t give up. She kept fighting and got support from people across South Africa who are fighting against gender-based violence.
In March, the court found Gqesha guilty.
On Thursday, Judge Philip Zilwa gave him eight life sentences — one for each time he raped Andy. The judge said Gqesha acted like a predator and showed no remorse. He said there was no reason to give him a lighter sentence.
The sentences will run at the same time.
It has been 14 years since the crime, but Andy now has justice.
Pictured above: Moses Gqesha, 50, at the Gqeberha High Court.
Image source: Action Society
