Andy Kawa: Rapist convicted 14 years after ordeal
More than 14 years after Gauteng businesswoman Andy Kawa was abducted and raped along Kings Beach, her rapist has been found guilty.
On Wednesday, Gqeberha High Court Judge Phillip Zilwa convicted Moses Gqesha on eight counts of rape as well as a charge of kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances, and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
The 49-year-old Gqesha pleaded guilty to one count of theft of a lawnmower in the Newton Park area in June 2020.
It was his DNA sample that was taken as part of the investigation on the theft charge, which eventually led to a breakthrough in the Kawa rape case, another three years later.
After the positive DNA match to Kawa's rape kit in 2023, it took police another seven months to arrest Gqesha.
Kawa took the stand on 4 March this year and relayed how she had prayed to God to receive her soul during the harrowing ordeal.
She told the court that the incident killed a part of her, ruined her career and her ability to generate an income, and caused serious health issues.
Zilwa said State Prosecutor Ismat Cerfontein had proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Gqesha was guilty.
He, too, was satisfied that the person that raped Kawa on 9 December 2010 was Gqesha.
A probation officer's report will be obtained ahead of sentencing procedures, which have been scheduled for 24 April.
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