DURBAN High Court convicted and sentenced Simphiwe Ncube (29) to three life terms and a further 28 years in jail for murder and rapes he committed in KwaMakhutha and Folweni in 2004, 2010 and 2014.
“On Friday, 6 March Ncube was sentenced to life for murder, double life imprisonment for two cases of rape, 15 years for a third rape, 10 years for robbery and three years for assault. He attacked two school girls and a young woman at knifepoint on different occasions. DNA samples taken from the victims assisted in his successful conviction,” said Col Jay Naicker of the KZN police media centre.
“On 4 February, 2014, Thembeka Mkhize was found dead, near a road at Golokodo Reserve. She was raped and fatally stabbed. Her lifeless body was found half-naked with her school uniform next to her.”
Subsequently, a case of murder and rape were opened at Folweni police station for investigation.
Ncube also attacked a 36-year-old woman on 14 October, 2010 at Zwelisha, near Golokodo reserve. He raped and robbed her of her belongings at knifepoint before fleeing.
A DNA match assisted in solving a third rape case that occurred in November, 2004 where a scholar was assaulted and raped by Ncube at knifepoint in KwaMakhutha.
KZN provincial commissioner, Lt Gen Mmamonnye Ngobeni praised Folweni police and the Umlazi FCS Unit for presenting fully investigated dockets for prosecution, which led to the conviction and sentencing of the accused. “We are thrilled with the sentence as this criminal will spend his life in prison and he will not be able to hurt another woman again,” she said.
