NPA WELCOMES LIFE SENTENCE FOR RAPIST AND ROBBER

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the life imprisonment sentence imposed by the Esikhaleni Regional Court on Nkosikhona Ndlovu (20), following his conviction for raping an adult woman in January 2024. Ndlovu was also convicted of housebreaking with intent to rob and robbery with aggravating circumstances. He and the complainant were not known to each other.

In the early hours of the morning of the offence, the complainant was at a relative’s house with three minor children, her cousins. The children were asleep while the complainant was awake. Ndlovu broke into the house, accosted her and demanded the password to her laptop. He also forced her to transfer money to him through a banking app, before raping her.

At one point, one of the children woke up and went to the complainant’s room. Ndlovu locked the door and continued to rape the complainant. Before leaving, he stole her laptop and other household items.

The complainant was taken to the Ngwelezane Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC), where she received medical and psychosocial assistance. A case was subsequently opened, and Ndlovu eventually handed himself over to the police.

During the trial, Prosecutor Philani Clarence Mdletshe led the evidence of the complainant, the cousin who witnessed the rape and the medical doctor who examined the complainant. A police official and a forensic analyst also testified for the State. DNA evidence linked Ndlovu to the offence.

Mr Mdletshe also handed in a Victim Impact Statement prepared by the complainant with the assistance of Court Preparation Officer Ntombi Goodness Chonco.

In her statement, the complainant said the incident had ruined her life and described her ordeal as cruel and traumatic.

Ndlovu was sentenced to life imprisonment for rape, five years’ imprisonment for housebreaking with intent to rob, and 15 years’ imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances. He was declared unfit to possess a firearm, and the court ordered that his name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.

The NPA remains committed to combating sexual offences and gender-based violence and to ensuring justice for survivors. The Thuthuzela Care Centre network has expanded from 55 centres in 2020/21 to 66 centres across the country. The centres provide integrated medical, legal and psychosocial services to survivors of sexual violence, supporting them while contributing to the successful prosecution of offenders.

Issued by:

Natasha Ramkisson-Kara

NPA Regional Spokesperson

KwaZulu-Natal Division