7 x LIFE AND 155 YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT FOR SERIAL RAPIST AND ROBBER
16 FEBRUARY 2026
7 x LIFE AND 155 YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT FOR SERIAL RAPIST AND ROBBER
The High Court of South Africa, sitting at Mtunzini, has sentenced Muzikhona Khehla Khumbulani Mthethwa (33) to seven terms of life imprisonment and an additional 155 years’ imprisonment after he pleaded guilty under Section 112 of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977 to multiple serious offences.
These offences include nine counts of rape, five counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, two counts of attempted murder, one count of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH), and one count of housebreaking with intent to rape. Mthethwa committed these offences in the KwaMbonambi area in northern KwaZulu-Natal between June 2017 and June 2021. He was not known to the complainants.
In committing these crimes, Mthethwa would accost the complainants when they were alone or, in some instances, together. He used violence to subdue them before raping and/or robbing them of their belongings. In one incident, he raped two women in the presence of each other. All the complainants were adult females, except for one minor, and an adult male who was robbed along with his girlfriend.
Mthethwa was eventually arrested while in custody for other matters and was linked to these offences through DNA. The complainants were assisted at the Ngwelezane Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC), where they received medico-legal and psycho-social support.
In aggravation of sentence, the State, represented by Advocate Xolani Cele, presented the court with J88 medical reports and DNA analysis linking Mthethwa to the offences. Victim Impact Statements (VIS), facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Mandisa Paulette Sikakane, were also submitted. The statements reflected the profound and lasting impact of the crimes, with the complainants saying that they have suffered physical and emotional trauma, and they now live in fear.
Mthethwa was sentenced as follows: Seven life terms and 40 years’ imprisonment for rape,30 years’ imprisonment for attempted murder, and five years’ imprisonment for housebreaking with intent to rape, five years’ imprisonment for assault GBH and 75 years’ imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances. The court ordered that the additional sentences run concurrently with the life sentences. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
The sentence imposed reflects the seriousness of the offences and the devastating impact on the victims. Together with our partners in law enforcement, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) remains resolute in its commitment to uphold the rule of law and ensure justice for victims of crime.
The NPA’s efforts to combat sexual violence continue to be strengthened through the expansion of the Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC) network, which has grown from 55 centres in 2020/2021 to 66 centres nationwide. These centres provide integrated, victim-centred services, including medical care, counselling, and court support.
Issued by:
Natasha Ramkisson-Kara
NPA Regional Spokesperson
KZN Division
071 670 0229