The Free State High Court sitting in Welkom handed down two life sentences to Sabata Nkatsa (31) for murder and rape.

The sentencing emanates from a gruesome incident that occurred August 4, 2023 at about 02:23 in Bothaville. The court heard how on the day of the incident the accused followed the victim to her destination, where he raped her and stabbed her 17 times with a knife before he fled the scene.

During the incident a group of male friends heard screams coming from a nearby room. Upon investigating they saw a door that was slightly opened. They then pushed the door open and saw the accused fleeing the scene of crime with a knife in his hand leaving the victim lying in a pool of blood with multiple stab wounds. Ruzel Duiker who was aged 28 at the time later succumbed to her injuries.

The accused was on the run from the police since the time of the incident until his luck ran out in 2025. 

The case was meticulously investigated by Sergeant Dannis Mokoena of the Bothaville Detective Services. Through his relentless and investigative expertise the accused was traced and arrested in Stilfontein on May 4, 2025.

The accused was denied bail and remained in custody until the day of his conviction.

The evidence led by investigation team alongside Advocate Nyakama of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) ensured that the accused was found guilty. 

Sabata Nkatsa was found guilty on both counts of rape and murder. He was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and life imprisonment for rape by the presiding judge Chesiwe. The court further ordered that the two sentences run concurrently.