Bonisile Cele, 29, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for raping a 30-year-old Inanda woman in June 2022.
Cele was sentenced at the Ntuzuma Regional Court on Tuesday, October 17.
On the day of the rape, the complainant was in the company of her friend when they were approached by Cele and another man, said National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Natasha Ramkisson-Kara.
“The woman’s friend fled, leaving the complainant with the two men. Cele’s co-conspirator assaulted the complainant, and they took her to his home. There they raped her. She managed to escape and went to the police. She was taken to the Phoenix Thuthuzela Care Centre, where she received medical and psycho-social assistance. The men were tracked by police two months later. While Cele was arrested, his co-conspirator escaped and is still to be traced,” said Ms Ramkisson-Kara.
In court, Regional Court prosecutor Lisa Abrahams led the testimonies of the complainant, her friend, and the doctor.
Ms Abrahams also submitted a Victim Impact Statement, compiled by the complainant, and facilitated by court preparation officer Princess Mlangeni.
“In her statement, the complainant said that the incident has left her with permanent mental and physical scars. She said that she is still traumatised and that Cele and his co-conspirator have ruined her life. Cele was sentenced accordingly, and the court declared him unfit to possess a firearm,” said Ms Ramkisson-Kara.
Ms Ramkisson-Kara added that the NPA welcomes the outcome of the case. She said it was the mandate of the NPA to protect the most vulnerable in society, namely women and children. She commended the work done by the prosecution and the police in securing the conviction.
