TWO MEN SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPE

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the life imprisonment sentences imposed by the Scottburgh Regional Court on two 30-year-old men following their conviction for raping a woman in the Sawoti area in September 2020.

The complainant was pregnant at the time of the offence. She knew the accused, who were friends with her boyfriend.

On the morning of the incident, the complainant was alone at her boyfriend’s house when the two accused knocked on the door and asked where he was. After she told them that he was not there, they decided to wait for him inside the house. At some point, both men raped her.

After the rape, the accused used a towel that was on the bed, leaving their DNA on it. They then left the house and fled to Durban. When the complainant’s boyfriend returned, she told him that the accused had raped her. She was taken to a nearby hospital for medical assistance. The accused later handed themselves over to the police.

During the trial, Prosecutor Thanusha Govender led the evidence of the complainant, her boyfriend and the medical doctor who examined the complainant. DNA evidence presented by the State linked the accused to the offence and placed them at the scene.

Ms Govender also handed in a Victim Impact Statement prepared by the complainant with the assistance of Court Preparation Officer Nokukhanya Mkhize. In her statement, the complainant described the indescribable pain and emotional trauma she suffered as a result of the incident.

In addition to the life imprisonment sentences, both accused were declared unfit to possess firearms. The court also ordered that their names be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.

Curbing gender-based violence and femicide remains an organisational priority for the NPA. Together with our partners in the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster, we will continue working to ensure that perpetrators of these offences are held accountable.

Issued by:

Natasha Ramkisson-Kara

NPA Regional Spokesperson

KwaZulu-Natal Division