A 43-year-old man has been convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for the 2025 rape of a 32-year-old woman in Blaaubosch (Osizweni).

KZN Division regional spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomed the sentence that was handed down by the Madadeni Regional Court last week.

The incident happened in August 2025, while the accused and the victim were living in the same area.

According to Ramkisson-Kara, on August 24, the victim passed the accused’s house while returning home after spending time with friends.

“After calling her over to his house, he asked her to go inside and fetch matches so they could smoke together. While the complainant was in one of the rooms, the accused followed her in and locked the door. He then assaulted and raped her,” said Ramkisson-Kara.

Victim reports attack immediately

The victim managed to flee from the house and immediately sought help from a community member, who accompanied her to the police station to open a case. She was then taken to the Madadeni Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC) for medico-legal and psycho-social support.

The accused was arrested shortly afterwards at his homestead after the victim pointed him out to police.

In court, Prosecutor Zama Zikalala presented the evidence of the victim and the community member who assisted her. The evidence of the investigating officer, as well as the doctor who examined the complainant, also formed part of the state’s case.

Court imposes mandatory life sentence

“As the commission of the rape was accompanied by the infliction of violence, the minimum sentence of life imprisonment was applicable,” explained Ramkisson-Kara.

During sentencing, the court found no substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from the minimum sentence, and the accused was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Additionally, he was declared unfit to possess a firearm and the court ordered that his name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.

The NPA 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 operational across the country,” she said.

Ramkisson-Kara concluded by saying, “These centres provide integrated medical, legal and psycho-social services to survivors, thereby enhancing the quality of prosecutions.”

Listen: NPA welcomes life sentence for Blaaubosch rapist

Follow us on Youtube and feel free to like, comment, and subscribe. For more local news, visit our webpage, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and follow us on our WhatsApp Channel