The Mpumalanga Division of the High Court in Middelburg has sentenced Lucky Thokozane Nkosi (37) to 32-years imprisonment following his conviction on 22 January for rape, kidnapping, murder, and defeating the ends of justice.

On October 1, 2023, at around 01:00 the morning a 15-year-old victim was at a tavern in Leslie when the accused ambushed her in the restroom and forcefully raped her. He then kidnapped her, taking her to his residence in Leslie, where he raped her repeatedly throughout the night. The following morning, at around 09:00 the victim was released.

The victim reported the matter to Leslie SAPS, and a case of rape and kidnapping was opened for investigation. The victim was able to identify the accused.

On 26 December the same year, the accused was seen at another victim’s residence in Extension 9, Leslie.

The two later left together. Concerned family members reported the victim missing to the Police on 27 December. The victim’s child confirmed seeing the accused leaving with her mother.

Later that day, a pedestrian discovered the victim’s body at a bridge in Leslie. Police were notified and the body was later identified as that of the missing victim.

The post-mortem report revealed the cause of death as ligature strangulation and multiple blunt force injuries.

The Police investigation led officers to the accused’s residence, where bloodstains were found on a mattress. Skilled detectives gathered crucial information at the crime scene resulting in the conviction.

The matter was investigated by the Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit and they worked tirelessly to ensure that justice is served for the two victims.

On January 4 last year, the accused was arrested for murder and defeating the ends of justice.

Subsequently, the state managed to present strong evidence against him and he was found to have been involved in the rape and kidnapping of the first victim, resulting in additional charges being filed in May 2024.

Further investigation by detectives revealed that the accused had been previously convicted in 2014, and was sentenced then to 10-years imprisonment for rape and attempted murder.

On 22 January the accused pleaded guilty to all charges. The court sentenced him as follows:

• Count 1: Rape – 25 years imprisonment

• Count 2: Kidnapping – 5 years imprisonment

• Count 3: Murder – 20 years imprisonment

• Count 4: Defeating the ends of justice – 3 years imprisonment

The court ordered concurrent sentences for rape and kidnapping, as well as concurrent sentences for murder and defeating the ends of justice. Additionally, 13 years of the sentence for rape, will run concurrently with the sentence for murder, resulting in an effective prison term of 32-years.

The accused was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.