Two men from South Africa, one of whom was a student at Wayne State College, are being charged in Wayne County District Court related to allegations they individually sexually assaulted a female student on campus during the spring 2024 semester.
Nokutendaishe Joel and Katlego Cole Nqandela, both 21, are charged with first degree sexual assault following an investigation by the Wayne Police Department. Nqandeala has also been charged with procuring alcohol to a minor. This charge is a misdemeanor.
The following statement was provided by Wayne State College in regard to the incident:
“Wayne State College is deeply committed to the safety and well-being of our students.
"Due to federal confidentiality regulations, Wayne State College is unable to comment on the specifics of any Title IX case. Title IX is a federal law intended to protect students from sexual discrimination and requires the College to adhere to specific procedures in response to reports of sex harassment, including sexual assault. It is important to understand that Title IX is distinct from the criminal justice system, and it governs the actions the College must take to ensure that rights are afforded to both those who accuse others of violating its provisions and those who are accused.
"We are fully committed to upholding our established procedures for responding to Title IX reports and providing support services to our students and we take this responsibility very seriously.”
According to arrest affidavits written by the Wayne Police Department, the department received a call from Providence Medical Center on April 8 after a 20-year old went to the hospital to have a sexual assault exam performed.
The student later told police she and her 19-year old friend had gone to a small gathering on the night of April 6 at Anderson Hall on Wayne State's campus with the plan to drink alcohol.
Joel, Nqandela and a third man, who is not charged with a crime, were among those in the group. Joel and the third man were enrolled at WSC at the time and Nqandela had recently withdrawn from classes.
A series of events transpired at the gathering, including the 20-year old and her friend drinking alcohol, which is alleged to have been purchased by Nqandela. Later, Nqandela allegedly went out of sight of the rest of the group and came back with two shots of alcohol.
Approximately 10 minutes after consuming the shots, the two felt sick and ran to a bathroom. They both later told police they don't remember anything after going to the bathroom.
The 20-year old said she woke up undressed in her own dorm room at Bowen Hall the next morning with bruises on her body. A hat belonging to Nqandela was also in her room.
Surveillance footage shows Nqandela entering Bowen Hall around 2:40 a.m. on April 7 with a hat on and leaving the building at 9:19 a.m. without his hat, according to police.
When interviewed by police, Nqandela said he had no memory of what happened that night after he left Anderson Hall.
Nqandela is jailed on $250,000 bail. He pleaded not quilty in July and is scheduled to appear in District Court next on Wednesday, Sept. 4.
Joel pleaded not guilty in District Court on Aug. 7 and is free after posting 10% of $100,000 bail. County Judge Ross Stoffer had set his bond at $250,000, but reduced that amount during a court hearing in June.
If convicted, Joel could face up to 50 years in prison.
Nqandela, if convicted, could face up to 51 years in prison.
