MOZAMBICAN NATIONAL SENTENCED TO 18 YEARS FOR ATTEMPTED RAPE AND MURDER 

04 NOVEMBER 2025 

MOZAMBICAN NATIONAL SENTENCED TO 18 YEARS FOR ATTEMPTED RAPE AND MURDER 

Johannesburg – The High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Division in Johannesburg, has sentenced a Mozambican national to 18 years’ imprisonment for the attempted rape and murder of Nompumelelo Manana, which occurred on 11 May 2024 in Lyndhurst. 

On the night of the incident, a security officer heard the victim screaming near a powerhouse in the area. He rushed to investigate and found the accused lying on top of the deceased. Both were naked, and the victim was already dead. The officer immediately alerted the police, who arrested the accused on the scene. An investigation led by Sergeant Thabang Phaswane revealed that, earlier that evening, the accused and the deceased had been together at a local tavern where they were seen drinking and socialising. Around midnight, the deceased left the tavern, and the accused followed her. When he caught up with her, he attacked, attempted to rape her, and strangled her to death. 

Senior State Advocate Faghre Mohamed argued that the court should impose a harsh sentence to deter others from committing similar crimes, highlighting that the accused had shown no remorse. The presiding judge, noting the prevalence of gender-based violence and the vulnerability of women, sentenced the accused to 15 years for murder and 5 years for attempted rape, ordering that 2 years run concurrently, resulting in an effective 18-year imprisonment. 

This successful prosecution reflects the dedication and collaboration between investigators and prosecutors and exemplifies the NPA’s ongoing commitment to pursuing justice in cases of gender-based violence across the country. 

Issued by:


Phindi Mjonondwane


NPA Regional Spokesperson


Gauteng Division, Johannesburg


Tel: 083 402 4787 / 011 220 4245


Email: hmjonondwane@npa.gov.za