THE man who was convicted of raping and murdering an Amanzimtoti woman on the N2 highway in December 2023, with his accomplices, was given a 46-year prison sentence by the Durban Magistrate’s Court on April 17.

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The convicted, Nkosinathi Ndala (26), had denied the charges against him, while his accomplices, Sphamandla Mkhulise (24), Thulani Bhengu (24) and Talent Mbongeni Ntanzi (21), made full confessions and turned state witnesses. All four were denied bail.

They were all convicted of raping and murdering Nonhlakanipho Buthelezi (23), a final-year mechanical engineering student, on December 24, 2023, after offering her and her female friend a lift from Chesterville. They were also convicted of assault and theft.

In a statement, Women for Change, a civic organisation and advocacy movement focused on combating gender-based violence, said the two women had spent the evening with a friend in Chesterville. When the women decided to return to Amanzimtoti, they walked to a nearby petrol station and tried to request an e-hailing taxi, but no driver responded.

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“The two women were approached by four men who offered them a lift home. Nonhlakanipho’s friend told the police that she became suspicious when the men drove in the opposite direction and then asked the men to pull over along the freeway for a pitstop,” read the statement.

While the women were stepping out of the vehicle, the men produced a knife and then began demanding their cellphones and handbags. While the friend was able to get away, Nonhlakanipho was raped, stabbed at least three times and left for dead on the side of the highway. The friend hid in a nearby bush until morning and went to the nearest police station to report what had happened.

After searching the area where the incident had happened, Nonhlakanipho’s body was found discarded near a bridge next to the highway. A police investigation led to the arrest of the four men on December 30, 2023.

The three men who confessed each received three-year prison sentences.

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