LIFE AND 55 YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPE AND ROBBERY
16 MAY 2025
LIFE AND 55 YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPE AND ROBBERY
The Estcourt Regional Court has sentenced Thokozane Vodacom Nqubuka (35) to life and 55 years imprisonment for the crime spree he embarked on between 15 and 16 July 2022 in the Estcourt area.
On the evening of 15 July 2022, armed with a firearm, he broke into a house in the Estcourt area and robbed the female occupant of her cellphone. He also raped her on diverse occasions through the night. Nqubuka then fled the scene and on his way (in the early hours of the next morning) he met with the other two complainants, namely a man and a woman who were returning from work. He accosted them at gunpoint and robbed them of their cell phones. He asked the man to lie down on the floor and began to sexually assault the woman. The woman then fought with Nqubuka and gained control of the firearm. She assaulted him with the firearm, and then the male complainant joined her. During this scuffle, they were able to remove Nqubuka ’s facemask, thus being able to identify him. At some point, a car stopped, and the driver got out and called Nqubuka by name, asking him what was going on. Nqubuka then got into the car with this other person, and they drove off.
Since the complainants had taken down the registration number of the car, the car and the driver were located soon afterwards. The driver told the police what he knew about Nqubuka and that Nqubuka told him that the complainants (on the night of the incident) were assaulting him, and that is why they left the scene. Nqubuka was subsequently arrested.
In court, Prosecutor Zamaswazi Portia Mawethusonke Ndlovu led the testimonies of the complainants as well as the SAPS officials who attended the scenes. The driver of the vehicle which took Nqubuka away from the scene testified on the state’s behalf. Also, DNA evidence linking Nqubuka to the rape of the first complainant was presented to the court. In aggravation of sentence, Ndlovu led the testimonies of the complainants who told the court how the crimes had affected them.
The first complainant told the court that Nqubuka should have killed her on the night of the offence, because he had ruined her life. Before the incident, she aspired to study further and achieve her goals; however, now she has lost her self-confidence and prefers to stay away from people. The complainant in the sexual assault charge told the court that she fought with Nqubuka for the firearm because she was afraid that he would rape her. Both the complainants mentioned that they had pleaded with him to take their belongings and not touch them, but he did not listen.
Nqubuka was sentenced to life imprisonment for rape, 15 years imprisonment for each of the three counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, 5 years imprisonment for sexual assault and 5 years imprisonment for pointing of a firearm. He will effectively serve life imprisonment. In addition, he was declared unfit to possess a firearm.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the successful conviction and sentencing of a dangerous criminal to life imprisonment plus an additional 55 years for rape and robbery. This stern sentence sends a clear message that crimes of violence, especially those that rob victims of their dignity and security, will not be tolerated.
The accused was found guilty of multiple charges following a thorough and diligent investigation and prosecution. The court’s decision reflects the gravity of the offences, and the trauma inflicted on the victims.
This conviction underscores the NPA’s unwavering commitment to ensuring justice for victims of gender-based violence and serious crimes. We commend the prosecution team and law enforcement for their relentless pursuit of justice, and we hope this outcome brings some comfort and closure to the victims and their families.
Issued by:
Natasha Ramkisson-Kara
NPA Regional Spokesperson
KZN Division
0716700229