A 22 year-old man from Nquthu was been jailed for  life and 15 years imprisonment in the Nquthu Regional Court last week for the rape and robbery with aggravating circumstances he committed in April 2016.

The accused lived next door to the complainant who is his 58-year-old aunt. On the night of the offences, the accused and his brother broke into her home while the lights were on and demanded money from her. Both the accused were well known to her and made no attempt to conceal their faces. She gave them R150 but they were not satisfied and took her cellphone as well. The accused then beat her with a stick and instructed her to lie down so that they could rape her.

The complainant tried to run outside however they pulled out a knife and tried to stab her. They then subdued her and took turns to rape her. The complainant lost consciousness and only regained her senses when they threw her on the bed. They told her that they would return. It was later discovered that they had stolen more money from her.

In court, Regional Court Prosecutor, Hazel Molefe, led the testimonies of the complainant, the first report and the doctor who testified that the complainant had sustained more than 20 serious injuries including fractures. He told the court that the complainant was hospitalised for more than three weeks.

The accused was sentenced to life imprisonment for rape and 15 years imprisonment for the robbery. His brother is still at large.

The Director of Public Prosecutions in KwaZulu Natal, Adv. Moipone Noko said, “This conviction and sentence is indeed welcomed and I trust that it will deter like-minded individuals. It is disturbing to note that the accused abused his position of trust by violating his aunt.”