In South Africa At the age of 14 the complainant was raped by two young men. At the time of the rape she did not report the matter to her parents or lay charges, but briefly told a friend about the incident. Nineteen years later she met one of her assailants, which revived memories of her ordeal and prompted her to lay charges against the men who had raped her. Answer the following questions relating to the trial:

Explain, in view of the Constitutional right to silence, whether the two accused can be convicted if they fail to testify.