THE Durban Regional Court has sentenced a 41-year-old man to 25 years’ direct imprisonment for the rape and attempted murder of his ex-girlfriend. The offences were committed in August 2025 in the Shongweni Dam area.

The accused and the complainant had ended their relationship some time prior to the incident, however, the accused continued to pursue the complainant to reconcile with her. The complainant refused and eventually reported this to her family. The accused then relocated and the complainant did not see him thereafter.

Then on August 17, 2025, the complainant saw the accused while socialising with her friends at a local venue. She avoided him and eventually left the venue, heading home. The accused followed her and begged her for reconciliation, but the complainant refused.

The accused then stabbed the complainant on her back, and under her left arm, causing her to bleed profusely. The accused dragged her to a nearby field where he continued to assault and stab her multiple times until she lost consciousness. The complainant sustained 14 stab wounds. The accused raped the complainant and fled the scene.  He ran to the complainant’s house and told her mother that she (the complainant) had been attacked by an unknown person. The complainant was taken to hospital and upon regaining consciousness, she told her mother that the accused had attacked her. He was subsequently arrested.

In court, Prosecutor Tanuja Bechan led the evidence of the complainant, her mother, another family member, and the investigating officer. The medical doctor who had examined the complainant provided expert testimony about the extent of the complainant’s injuries.

Also read: Pinetown rapist sentenced to life imprisonment

In aggravation of sentence, the Prosecutor handed in a Victim Impact Statement (VIS) compiled by the complainant, and facilitated by Nandi Mofokeng, the Court Preparation Officer. In her statement, the complainant said that following the incident, she is fearful of men. She said that the accused has robbed her of her life, freedom, and dignity.

The spokesperson of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, said due to the domestic relationship between the accused and the complainant, the applicable minimum sentences for the rape and attempted murder are life imprisonment.

“However, in sentencing the accused, the court deviated from the prescribed minimum sentences and instead sentenced the accused to 20 years’ imprisonment for rape and 25 years’ imprisonment for attempted murder. The court found the accused’s personal circumstance of being a father to six minor children as a substantial and compelling circumstance that necessitated a deviation from the prescribed sentences.

“The accused will serve an effective sentence of 25 years’ imprisonment. He was declared unfit to possess a firearm, and the court ordered that his name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.

“The NPA welcomes the successful finalisation of this matter. The NPA remains steadfast in its commitment to combating gender-based violence and ensuring that the perpetrators of sexual offences are held accountable for their actions,” said Ramkisson-Kara.

For more from the Highway Mail, follow us on Facebook , X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.

Click to subscribe to our newsletter here