DURBAN – On 5 March 2020, Sifiso Nqubuko (24) was handed two life terms with 15 years’ imprisonment for two cases of rape and robbery. The sentence was handed down by the Estcourt Regional Court.

The accused terrorised the Ematsheni community in 2017 and the victims could not identify the accused since he was unknown in the area until DNA analysis linked him to the crimes. In September 2017, a 25-year-old female was accosted by the accused who took her to the cliff at Obonjaneni Reserve in the early hours of the morning. He further robbed her of her belongings. A case of rape was opened at Ematsheni police station.

Another rape case was received two months later in November 2017 after a 17-year-old female was accosted by two males who assaulted her with an iron rod at Gudlucingo reserve and repeatedly raped her. Both dockets were assigned to the Ladysmith Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit for investigation. The investigating officer traced the accused, linked him through DNA and took him into custody for prosecution. The accused was sentenced to life imprisonment for each rape and 15 years imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances.

The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Khombinkosi Jula hailed the sentence handed to the rapist. “We are glad that the accused received a befitting sentence for his dreadful acts,” he said.

Source: South African Police Service