Newcastle man receives 20-year sentence for raping acquaintance
Man handcuffed in a jail cell. A man has been sentenced to 20 years direct imprisonment for raping a woman in Newcastle
Image: File
The Madadeni Regional Court has sentenced a 28-year-old man to 20 years' imprisonment and declared him unfit to possess a firearm.
This comes after he raped a 36-year-old woman in her home at Mndozo Farm in Newcastle in 2024.
The rapist, known to the victim and her boyfriend, joined them for a drink at a tavern on the day of the incident. When the couple was leaving, the man requested a lift.
The boyfriend first dropped off his girlfriend and then proceeded to drop off the man. However, after being dropped off, the man walked to the victim's home, gained entry, and raped her.
During the trial, the victim testified that she had left her door open because her boyfriend was expected to return after dropping off the rapist. She stated that he gained entry to her home and raped her.
She stated that she attempted to fight him, but he overpowered her by digging his fingernails into her skin. After the assault, he fled.
The victim reported the incident to the police immediately and was taken to the Madadeni Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC).
State prosecutor Zama Zikalala called the examining doctor to testify and submitted a J88 form, detailing the doctor's findings.
After the victim's testimony, the rapist informed his lawyer that he wished to make 220 admissions, admitting to raping the victim.
Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in KwaZulu-Natal, stated that the court considered these admissions a sign of remorse.
“While the rape charge attracts a minimum sentence of life imprisonment, the court deviated,” she explained.
She added that the rapist's name would 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 2020/21 to 66 TCCs at present,” Ramkisson-Kara said.
She said the TCCs provide comprehensive services and support to victims of sexual violence.
nomonde.zondi@inl.co.za