The Ntuzuma Regional Court have sentenced Dalithemba Khewa to life and 10 years’ imprisonment for the rape and robbery of a 78-year-old woman in May 2018.

On the day of the incident, Khewa and some others kicked down the door at the woman’s home in the Ntuzuma area. Armed with knives, they took turns to rape her.

They then fled the scene with R130 and some groceries. The woman was unable to identify her attackers as she is visually impaired.

She was taken to the Phoenix Thuthuzela Care Centre, where she received the necessary psychosocial services, counselling and support. DNA samples collected from her home led to Khewa’s arrest in February 2020.

In court, the state advocate, Naushaad Harripersadh, said the complainant was a defenseless elderly woman, who was also almost blind.

She was therefore the most vulnerable of victims. Khewa was sentenced accordingly and the court ruled that his details must be entered into National Register for Sex Offenders, thus rendering him unsuitable to work with children and older persons. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

“The National Prosecuting Authority welcomes this successful prosecution. This matter is indicative of the integral role that DNA evidence plays in the successful finalisation of matters,” commented NPA regional spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara.