The Vryheid District Court has sentenced a man convicted of rape and robbery under difficult circumstances to life imprisonment.
This comes after Lindokuhle Mkhwanazi (29) pleaded guilty to rape and two counts of robbery under difficult circumstances.
Mkhwanazi committed these crimes in April 2023 against two robbers, a woman and a man, who worked together and did not know him.
On the day of the incident, it is said that the robbers, who were on their way to work, were surrounded by a thug and two other men who were traveling with them.
It is said that they were armed with guns, robbed them of their clothes, before raping the woman. It turned out that when they left, they were running away. The victims were said to have been rushed to the hospital to receive medical assistance and after the incident was reported to the police. It turns out that since the defendants were unknown at the time, they continued to lurk.
It is said that it was not until 2025 that Mkhwanazi was arrested for a different crime, the DNA that was taken in April 2023, linked him to the rape case.
Pressing for the defendant to receive the sentence he deserves, Prosecutor Mr. Kwazikwakhe Sibiya presented health evidence as well as a DNA report.
The State also presented sworn statements, written by both defendants, under the supervision of the Court Preparation Officer, Mr. Bheki Sithole. The victims were talking about how much the incident affected them. Both said that the incident left an indelible image in their minds.
The female victim explained that she has become a laughingstock in society because she was raped.
The court sentenced him to 15 years for each count of armed robbery. He then sentenced her to life imprisonment for rape. It said the sentences will be served concurrently. In addition, the court also decided that he is not fit to carry a gun, and issued an order that his name be written in the National Register for Sex Offenders.
The spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Mrs Natasha Ramkisson-kara, said that she accepted with both hands the sentence handed down by the court to the man.
“Fighting the scourge of sexual harassment as well as gender-based violence continues to be a priority for the NPA. In collaboration with our judicial partner, the Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster, we are committed to ensuring that the perpetrators receive justice and that the perpetrators of these heinous crimes are punished,” said Mrs. Ramkisson-Kara.