Rapist robber sentenced to life and 20 years imprisonment
The National Prosecuting Authority welcomes this successful prosecution. Sentences of this nature demonstrate the NPA’s efforts to curb gender-based violence.
The Ntuzuma Regional Court sentenced Sandile Wiseman Nikwe (33), to life and 20 years imprisonment for the rape, attempted murder, and robbery with aggravating circumstances he committed in November 2020, in KwaMashu.
Regional spokesperson of the National Prosecuting Authority, Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, provided more insight into the crimes.
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“On the evening of the offence, the 36-year-old complainant was on her way to see her friend when she encountered Nikwe and immediately recognised him from the area. He grabbed her and pulled her into a nearby ditch where he held her down and stabbed her in her upper body with a broken bottle. He then stabbed her in the eye and proceeded to rape her. Thereafter, Nikwe continued to strangle her, and he only walked away when she pretended to be dead. He robbed her of her phone, her clothes, her watch, and her shoes. The complainant received help from a passerby and was rushed to the hospital where she underwent emergency eye surgery however, she eventually lost one eye. Nikwe was arrested after handing himself over to the police,” Ramkisson-Kara said.
In the state’s case, Advocate Jenisha Sewbaran led the testimony of the complainant and a medical doctor, as well as the contents of the J88 forms.
Sewbaran also handed in a victim impact statement compiled by the complainant and facilitated by court preparation officer, Senziwe Mthethwa.
“In her statement, the complainant said that the loss of her eye has affected her professionally in that she is no longer able to work. This has had dire consequences on her and her family as she was the breadwinner at home,” added Ramkisson-Kara.
Nikwe was sentenced to life imprisonment for rape, 10 years imprisonment for attempted murder, and 10 years imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances.
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The court ordered that the sentences run concurrently. Further, the court found him unfit to possess a firearm and ruled that his name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.
“The National Prosecuting Authority welcomes this successful prosecution. Sentences of this nature demonstrate the NPA’s efforts to curb gender-based violence and we commend the work done by the prosecution and the SAPS,” she concluded.
