Two men accused of kidnapping, raping and murdering an Ngwelezane woman were handed hefty sentences for their crimes.
The Pietermaritzburg High Court sentenced Lindokuhle Psychology Mzimela (25) and Khetha Prince Zulu (19) for the brutal attack on the 38-year-old woman, who they watched die.
Both men pleaded guilty to kidnapping and rape, stating they had been consuming alcohol in a tavern prior to the attack.
They were en route to another tavern when they came across the victim and her companion.
They initially planned to rob them of their cellphones, and when Mzimela produced a knife, the victim’s companion ran away, leaving her at their mercy.
When it was discovered she didn’t have a cellphone, they took her to an abandoned structure where they forced her to undress. She refused, so Mzimela stabbed her in the stomach and chest.
After both had raped her, Mzimela – scared of identification – slit her throat and watched her die before fleeing the scene.
They were arrested a few days later.
The Victim Impact Statement supplied by the victim’s sister described her as a hard worker, friendly, loving mother and sister.
Mzimela was handed a double life sentence for murder and rape, and five years for kidnapping.
In sentencing Zulu, the court considered his age and remorse, and he was given 25 years for rape and five years for kidnapping.
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