RAPIST GETS DOUBLE LIFE IMPRISONMENT 

28 NOVEMBER 2025 

RAPIST GETS DOUBLE LIFE IMPRISONMENT 

The Durban Regional Court has sentenced a 25-year-old man to two terms of life imprisonment for the rape (on two occasions) of a girl who was 13 years old at the time. 

The complainant and her mother lived on the same property as the accused. The accused, a Malawian national, raped the complainant in September and November 2024 and on both occasions he did so after calling the complainant to his room. After raping her he would threaten to kill her and her mother if she told anyone what he had done. He further threatened to bewitch her with ‘muthi’ that he had obtained from his home country. 

The matter eventually came to light when the complainant confided in her mother. The mother then told the landlord what had happened, and the police were called. The accused was arrested thereafter, and the complainant was taken to a nearby hospital for medical assistance. 

Representing the state, Prosecutor Khanyi Sabelo led the testimony of four witnesses, namely the complainant, her mother, the landlord, and the medical doctor who had examined the complainant. The state also handed in Victim Impact Statements (VIS) compiled by the complainant and her mother, and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer, Nondumiso Nyembe. In her VIS, the complainant said that she cannot get over what happened to her. She also feels embarrassed because other children know what happened to her and they talk about her. In her statement, the mother said that the complainant’s behaviour has changed since the incident, she has become disruptive and rebellious. 

The accused was sentenced to a term of life imprisonment for each of the two counts of rape. He was also convicted of Contravening the Immigration Act and was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment for that. The sentences will run concurrently. The court ordered that his name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders and he was declared unfit to possess a firearm. Together with our partners in the justice cluster, the NPA will continue to fight for the rights and dignity of the victims of crime. 

Issued by: 

Natasha Ramkisson-Kara 

NPA Regional Spokesperson 

KZN Division 

071 6700 229