MAN SENTENCED TO EFFECTIVE LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR TWO RAPE OFFENCES

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the sentence imposed by the Scottburgh Regional Court on a 19-year-old man convicted of two counts of rape committed in July and August 2024. He was sentenced to life imprisonment for the first offence and 15 years’ imprisonment for the second. In sentencing  the accused, the court found no substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentences for the offences. The accused will serve an effective sentence of life imprisonment.

In July 2024, the accused raped a 28-year-old woman in her home. He also strangled her until she lost consciousness. She eventually managed to escape, and the accused remained at large.

In August 2024, the accused raped a 20-year-old man near the complainant’s home. A passer-by heard the complainant screaming for help and went to investigate. He saw the accused, who was partially undressed, fleeing the scene. The complainant told him that he had been raped. The accused was arrested a few days later.

The accused pleaded guilty in terms of Section 112 of the Criminal Procedure Act to the rape of the female complainant. In the trial relating to the second offence, Prosecutor Harry Du Plessis led evidence from the complainant, the passer-by and a medical doctor.

The complainants’ Victim Impact Statements were facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Nokukhanya Mkhize. 

They described the devastating effects of the offences, including how the accused had humiliated them and undermined their dignity.

In addition to the life 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.

The NPA treats sexual offences with the utmost seriousness and will prosecute perpetrators to the fullest extent of the law.

Issued by:

Natasha Ramkisson-Kara

NPA Regional Spokesperson

KwaZulu-Natal Division