DOUBLE LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPE AND MURDER

14 AUGUST 2025

DOUBLE LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPE AND MURDER

The Mtubatuba Regional Court has sentenced Vusi Velaphi Ngwenya (35) to two terms of life imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to the rape and murder of a 44-year-old woman in July 2021. Ngwenya was not in a relationship with the deceased, nor was he related to her.

On the morning of 31 July 2021, community members found the body of the deceased in some bushes in the area. She had bruises around her neck. The community members then informed the police that the deceased was seen in the company of several people, including Ngwenya, during the previous night. DNA evidence was collected from the deceased’s body, and DNA samples of all the people who were in her company before her death were also taken. The results of the DNA tests positively linked Ngwenya to the rape, and he was arrested.

In court, he pleaded guilty to the rape and murder. Prosecutor Phumlani Khoza handed in a Victim Impact Statement (VIS) facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Sthembile Cebekhulu and compiled by the deceased’s niece. In her statement, the woman said that the deceased was the person who kept their family together, and she cared for everyone. She mentioned that the incident has traumatised them.

Ngwenya was sentenced to life imprisonment on each count. He was declared unfit to possess a firearm, and the court ordered that his name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.

The NPA welcomes the successful finalisation of this matter. We remain committed to fighting the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide.

Issued by:

Natasha Ramkisson-Kara

NPA Regional Spokesperson

KZN Division

071 6700 229