The Pietermaritzburg Regional Court convicted and sentenced Sibusiso “Nkomo” Hlatshwayo (27) to 28 years imprisonment for rape, housebreaking and theft that occurred in Copesville and Thamboville in 2012. In March and June 2012 Hlatshwayo broke into houses, threatened women with a knife, raped them, stole cell phones and fled. Cases of rape were opened at Mountain Rise police station for investigation and transferred to Pietermaritzburg Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit for investigation.
On 24 March 2012, a then 21-year-old female was sleeping at her place of residence in Thamboville when she was awoken by a man who raped her at knifepoint. After the ordeal took place, he took two cell phones and fled. In a separate incident, a then 26-year-old female visited her boyfriend at Copesville and he left for work in the early hours of the morning. An unknown man broke into the house, threatened her with a knife and raped her. He fled with the victim’s cell phone. Cases of rape were opened for investigation. Hlatshwayo was arrested and after an intensive investigation, he was linked to both incidents through DNA. He was taken to court where he was convicted and sentenced after several court appearances. He was sentenced to 20 years for rape, 6 years for housebreaking and 2 years for theft.
KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni commended Pietermaritzburg FCS Unit for their dedication in investigating these cases and for gathering the evidence that led to the prosecution of the accused. “Rapist needs to be aware that in KZN there is no tolerance when it comes to crimes against women and children. We will do everything within our control to trace and arrest those that are responsible for these crimes,” she said.
