Man jailed for life after raping partner of friend in KwaDabeka

A 40-year-old man was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Pinetown Regional Court after his conviction for raping a woman in KwaDabeka in February 2021. The court ordered that his details be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders and declared him unfit to possess a firearm.

Attack at the suspect’s home

The assault happened when the survivor and her boyfriend went to the suspect’s home. The man, who was friends with the boyfriend, demanded sex from the woman. When she refused, he physically attacked both her and her partner. He then raped the woman in front of her partner before fleeing the scene.

Arrest and prosecution

Police tracked down and arrested the man in Ixopo after detaining him on an unrelated matter. At trial, State Prosecutor Nokwanda Mthembu relied on testimony from the victim, her partner and the examining doctor. A Victim Impact Statement, facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Bonisile Mthethwa, was also presented to the court.

Impact on the survivor

The survivor detailed the ongoing emotional toll of the attack in her Victim Impact Statement.

“I constantly feel unsafe, rarely leave my home, and continue to struggle with painful memories that affect my daily well-being and quality of life,”

Following the assault, the woman received medical treatment and psychosocial counselling at the Chatsworth Thuthuzela Care Centre.

Statement from the NPA

Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, a regional spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority, welcomed the life sentence handed down by the Pinetown Regional Court.

The NPA also noted that the country’s Thuthuzela Care Centre network has expanded from 55 locations in 2020 to 66 active sites to strengthen victim support and aid prosecutions.