The Madadeni Regional Court in Newcastle, northern KZN sentenced a man to life imprisonment and a further eight years after he was found guilty of rape, assault GBH and kidnapping.

According to a statement released by Constable Thenjiswa Ngcobo, on August 11, 2018, Thobani Madida (28) went to a residence at Blaawbosch where a 23-year-old woman was with her friends.

Ngcobo says Madida demanded to speak to the woman, and when she refused, he became violent.

“The home owner reprimanded him, and he stabbed him with a knife. While the neighbour was down, he dragged the woman out of the house and raped her in the bushes near the house. The woman was then taken to different locations, where the suspect continued to rape her until she managed to escape,” says Ngcobo.

She adds that the matter was reported at Osizweni SAPS, and the docket was transferred to the Newcastle Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences Unit for further investigation.

Ngcobo says the man was arrested a few days later, however, following his arrest, it was discovered that he was already out on parole for attempted murder.