THE National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has welcomed the sentence of life imprisonment imposed by the Pinetown Regional Court on Dumisani Thabethe (55) following his conviction for the rape of a woman in the Mariannhill area in September 2025.

Thabethe and the complainant were not known to each other.

The NPA’s spokesperson in KZN, Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, said the successful prosecution stems from an incident that occurred on September 20, 2025, when the complainant went to a taxi rank to travel to another town.

“Due to the late hour, no taxis were available. Thabethe, who was working as a taxi driver, offered the complainant a place to sleep, assuring her that she could use his room for the night while he slept in his taxi.

“Instead, Thabethe produced a knife and forced the complainant into his room, where he raped her on diverse occasions. The following day, he transported her back to the taxi rank. The complainant immediately reported the matter to the police and was referred to the Chatsworth Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC), where she received medical treatment, psychosocial support, and other victim-centred services. She later identified Thabethe at the taxi rank, leading to his arrest,” said Ramkisson-Kara.

During the trial, State Prosecutor Simphiwe Magagula led the evidence of the complainant, the first report witness and the medical practitioner who examined the complainant following the rape.

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Evidence presented through a probation officer’s report revealed the profound impact the crime had on the complainant. She indicated that she had trusted Thabethe because he was an older person and never expected him to violate her trust in such a manner. The trauma resulting from the ordeal has had a devastating effect on her life and has left her unable to work.

In addition to the life sentence, the court declared Thabethe unfit to possess a firearm and ordered that his name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.

The NPA commended Magagula, the investigating team and all stakeholders involved in securing this conviction and sentence.

“Their collaborative efforts ensured that a dangerous offender was held accountable and that justice was secured for the survivor.”

The NPA said it remains steadfast in its commitment to combating sexual offences and gender-based violence.

“This commitment is strengthened by the continued expansion of the Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC) network, which has grown from 55 centres in 2020/2021 to 66 centres currently operating across the country. These centres provide integrated medical, legal, and psychosocial services to survivors of sexual violence, contributing significantly to victim support and the successful prosecution of offenders.

“Together with its partners in the criminal justice system, the NPA will continue to ensure that survivors receive the support they need and that perpetrators of sexual offences are prosecuted without fear, favour, or prejudice,” said Ramkisson-Kara.

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