TWO MEN SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPE

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the life imprisonment sentences imposed by the Madadeni Regional Court on two men convicted of raping an adult woman in July 2016. Both men knew the complainant.

On the night before the rape, the complainant was at her boyfriend’s house with him, the two accused and other people. At some point, Accused 2 made advances towards to the complainant and she reported this to her boyfriend. An argument then broke out between the complainant and her boyfriend, who chased everyone, including the complainant, out of his house.

As it was late, the accused suggested that the group go to Accused 1’s nearby home. They spent the night there. In the early hours of the following morning, both accused raped the complainant.

The complainant first reported the rape to a friend of her boyfriend before going to the police station, where a case was registered. She identified the accused, who were subsequently arrested. She was taken to the Madadeni Thuthuzela Care Centre for medical and psychosocial support.

In court, Prosecutor Nkululeko Innocent Shandu led evidence from the complainant, the friend to whom she first reported the rape, and two police officials. The State also presented evidence from the doctor who examined the complainant and the J88 medical report. DNA evidence linked Accused 1 to the crime, while Accused 2 was convicted based on the complainant’s evidence. 

The matter was delayed for various reasons attributed to the accused.

Both men were sentenced to life imprisonment and declared unfit to possess firearms. The court also ordered that their names be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.

The NPA remains committed to combating sexual offences and gender-based violence. The Thuthuzela Care Centre network has expanded from 55 centres in 2020/21 to 66 currently operating nationwide. These centres provide integrated medical, legal and psychosocial services to survivors of sexual violence, supporting them through the justice process and contributing to successful prosecutions.

Issued by:

Natasha Ramkisson-Kara

NPA Regional Spokesperson

KwaZulu-Natal Division