LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPIST

04 NOVEMBER 2025

LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPIST

The Scottburgh Regional Court has sentenced a 40-year-old man to life imprisonment for the rape of a woman in August 2023. The complainant was renting a premises there as attended college in the vicinity.

On the evening of 04 August 2023, the complainant was at a local tavern, socialising with her friends, when the accused arrived there. He seemed intoxicated and began annoying them. They eventually decided to leave the place around 11 pm, going to their respective homes.

Once home, the complainant was preparing for bed when the accused knocked on her door. He pretended to be someone known to her, so she opened the door. The accused then went into the house, switched off the lights, and raped the complainant three times before leaving. The complainant immediately contacted her boyfriend, notifying him of what had happened. The boyfriend drove to her place and took her to the police station. Thereafter, she was taken to a local hospital for medical assistance. The accused was arrested the following day at his homestead after being positively identified by the complainant’s boyfriend.

In court, Prosecutor Akhile Gcume led the evidence of the complainant, her boyfriend (who was the first report), as well as a relative of the complainant who resided nearby. The investigating officer was called to testify, and the evidence of the doctor who examined the complainant was also led. The accused was linked by DNA evidence. Mr Gcume handed in a Victim Impact Statement (VIS) compiled by the complainant and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Nokukhanya Mkhize.

Therein, the complainant said that the incident had affected her academically, causing her to perform poorly at college. In addition to the sentence, the accused was declared unfit to possess a firearm. The court ordered that his name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders, and he was found to be unsuitable to work with children.

The NPA welcomes the successful finalisation of this matter. We remain committed to pursuing justice for the victims of crime. Curbing the scourge of gender-based violence remains an organisational priority.

Issued by:

Natasha Ramkisson-Kara

NPA Regional Spokesperson

KZN Division

0716700229