LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPIST

19 December 2025

LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPIST

The Ntuzuma Regional Court has sentenced Nkosinathi Nkosingiphile Ngubane (36) to life imprisonment for the rape of a girl in March 2017 in the Lindenani area. Ngubane and the complainant (who was 16 years old at the time) did not know each other. On the day of the incident, the complainant was approached by Ngubane, who asked her for directions. While the complainant gave him the directions, he managed to lure her behind one of the houses in the area, and he raped her. The incident was witnessed by the complainant’s younger cousin.

Since the complainant did not know who Ngubane was, she was unable to identify/name him. The matter was reported to the police, and the complainant was taken to the Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC). This TCC was known as the Phoenix TCC at that time. The DNA swabs were taken from the complainant, and she received medico-legal assistance.

At some point, Ngubane was arrested in Msinga for another matter, and the DNA samples taken from him there linked him to this case. He was then arrested and charged with this case.

In court, Prosecutor Mbali Cele led the testimony of the complainant as well as her cousin, who was an eyewitness to the incident. The doctor who examined the complainant also testified. The DNA report linking Ngubane to the offence also formed part of the state’s case. In a Victim Impact Statement (VIS) compiled by the complainant and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Senziwe Mtetwa, the complainant said that she still suffers from psychological trauma and fears that Ngubane might rape her again.

Ngubane was sentenced accordingly and declared unfit to possess a firearm. The court ordered that his name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.

The NPA’s fight against the scourge of sexual violence has been aided by the expansion of the TCC footprint across the country, which has grown from 55 TCCs in 2020/2021 to 66 TCCs at present. These centres provide comprehensive services and support to victims of sexual violence.

Issued by:

Natasha Ramkisson-Kara

NPA Regional Spokesperson

KZN Division

0716700229