13 YEARS DIRECT IMPRISONMENT FOR ATTEMPTED RAPE OF TWO CHILDHOOD FRIENDS
05 September 2024
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the 13-year imprisonment sentence handed down to Wynand Morris (20) by the Victoria West Regional Court. Morris was convicted on two counts of attempted rape and one count of sexual assault. The first incident occurred on 07 April 2023, when Morris attempted to rape a 22-year-old childhood friend. After asking to walk her home, Morris made advances, including squeezing her breasts and requesting sex. When she refused, Morris became violent, throwing her to the ground and attempting to undress her. A struggle ensued, during which the victim was stabbed in the face and head with a broken bottle. In her defence, the victim managed to stab Morris and escape to her aunt’s house, where she reported the assault to the police. Morris was subsequently arrested and charged with attempted rape.
While out on bail, on 19 August 2023, Morris attacked another childhood friend, a 17-year-old girl. After offering her beer in exchange for sex, which she refused, Morris violently threw her to the ground and attempted to undress her. A passerby’s phone torchlight startled Morris, prompting him to flee the scene. The victim later reported the incident, and Morris was arrested.
Regional Court Prosecutor Xolisa March argued that Morris’s similar actions in both incidents indicated a clear modus operandi. Furthermore, the prosecutor highlighted the fact that Morris committed the second attempted rape while out on bail for the first offence, demonstrating his disregard for the law. The court heard victim impact statements, prepared by Court Preparations Officer Trott Manghana, which played a significant role in the sentencing outcome. Morris has been sentenced to 13 years in prison and declared unfit to possess a firearm, and his name will be entered into the National Register for Sexual Offenders.
The NPA remains committed to combating Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable for crimes that infringe upon the dignity and privacy of victims, as protected under the Constitution.
