Luyanda Botha not guilty of attempted rape of nursing student, orders court
The judgment in Botha's favour was handed down in the Wynberg Regional Court on Monday.
Convicted rapist and murderer Luyanda Botha appeared in Wynberg Magistrates Court on 2 August 2024, on charges related to an alleged attempted rape in 2014. Picture: Kayleen Morgan/Eyewitness News
CAPE TOWN - Convicted rapist and murderer Luyanda Botha has been found not guilty of the attempted rape of a nursing college student almost a decade ago.
The judgment in Botha's favour was handed down in the Wynberg Regional Court on Monday.
Botha is serving a life sentence for the rape and murder of 19-year-old Uyinene Mrwetyana in 2019.
Magistrate Anthea Ramos said the court had to objectively consider whether Botha's actions indicated he wanted to rape the complainant.
Botha allegedly attempted to rape the student in the shower room at Athlone nursing college in June 2014.
Ramos ruled that it could not be said the case was proved beyond reasonable doubt.
Botha's lawyer Kyle Petersen said his client feels vindicated.
"He's very happy with the outcome. I couldn't really speak to him much because they had to take him down, but he's quite happy with the outcome. Obviously, he feels vindicated and then from my I'm also pleased with the judgment."
Petersen lauded Ramos for making a thorough unbiased judgment.