SERIAL RAPIST SENTENCED TO THREE LIFE TERMS AND 10 YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT

25 November 2025

SERIAL RAPIST SENTENCED TO THREE LIFE TERMS AND 10 YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT

Mbombela, Mpumalanga – The High Court of South Africa, Mpumalanga Division, has sentenced Bongani Thembinkosi Nkosi (33) to three life terms and an additional 10 years’ imprisonment for a series of rape-related offences committed at Jeepers Reef Trust in the Nkomazi district. Nkosi pleaded guilty and was convicted on four counts of rape. Between February 2016 and July 2019, he terrorised women in the community using the same violent modus operandi.

On 18 February 2016, Nkosi and three unidentified accomplices broke into a home at Jeepers Reef Trust, where they found two women. After demanding valuables and threatening them, they took turns raping the victims. One of the victims’ mothers was asleep in a nearby room. Nkosi then dragged one of the victims to an abandoned house, where he continued raping her before fleeing with R700 and a DVD player. On 30 January 2017, Nkosi, this time wearing a balaclava, broke into another home where he found a woman with her baby. He threatened her with a knife, forced her outside, and raped her. On 7 July 2019, Nkosi and several unidentified accomplices broke into yet another house in Jeepers Reef Trust. They found a woman, her sister, and their mother. They threatened the family, took turns raping the woman, and fled with her cellphone. Nkosi was unknown to all the victims and was later linked to the crimes through DNA evidence, which ultimately led to his arrest.

In court, Nkosi admitted that his actions were unlawful, intentional, and without any legal justification. The State presented a compelling victim impact statement compiled by one of the survivors with the assistance of Court Preparation Officer Lizzy Mhlongo, detailing the long-term trauma, fear, and loss of trust in men that she continues to endure. The court found no substantial or compelling circumstances to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentences and imposed the following three life imprisonment terms for three counts of rape and 10 years’ imprisonment for the fourth count of rape. The court ordered the sentences to run concurrently, meaning Nkosi will effectively serve life imprisonment. He was further ordered to be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders, declared unfit to possess a firearm, and deemed unsuitable to work with children.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) remains steadfast in its commitment to combating gender-based violence and femicide. By prioritising cases involving vulnerable groups, the NPA continues to strengthen the justice system’s resolve to ensure that sexual predators are removed from society and that victims receive justice. The NPA commends the coordinated efforts of the criminal justice cluster, which ensured that another dangerous offender was removed from communities, particularly during the commemoration of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children. Ends.

Issued by:

Monica Nyuswa

NPA Regional Spokesperson

Mpumalanga Division

Tel: 013 045 0625 / 076 485 5446

Email: mnyuswa@npa.gov.za