LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPIST

05 OCTOBER 2025

LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPIST

The Eshowe Regional Court has sentenced a 38-year-old man to life imprisonment for the rape of a 19-year-old girl in March 2022.

The complainant rented a room at the accused's homestead, along with other learners, as they were attending a nearby school. On the evening of the offence, the complainant was alone in her room when the accused went there, requesting that she charge his Bluetooth speaker.

At some point, she asked him to leave, and he refused.

He threatened her with a pair of scissors and instructed her to undress. He raped her twice before leaving the room.

The next morning, the complainant went to a neighbouring house, asking for assistance, and they contacted her mother. She was taken to the police station where the matter was reported, and then to a clinic for medical assistance.

The accused fled the area and was arrested about three months later.

In court, the Prosecutor Nomthandazo Mkhize, led the evidence of the complainant and her mother (the first report). DNA evidence linking the accused to the offence, and the J88 form were also handed in to bolster the state’s case.

In aggravation of the sentence, Mkhize handed in a Victim Impact Statement (VIS) compiled by the complainant’s mother and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Amanda Pretty Nxumalo. The court heard that the incident had adversely affected the complainant as she often fell sick following the incident, and eventually passed away. The accused was sentenced accordingly and declared unfit to possess a firearm.

The NPA remains 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