The Durban Regional Court in KwaZulu Natal sentenced Mxolisi Qasha (36) to life imprisonment for the rape of a 30-year-old woman in February 2019 in the Sydenham area outside Durban. 

THE INCIDENT

It is alleged that on the day of the incident, the complainant was with her friend when Qasha approached them. KZN National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Natasha Kara said that Qasha started assaulting the complainant's friend, accusing her of calling him an iMpondo, referring to a Xhosa tribe. "When the complainant realised that Qasha spoke isiXhosa like her, she intervened hoping to appease the situation and asked her friend to run away. Qasha then pulled out a knife and asked the complainant to go with him back to his house. There he raped her three times, before letting her go. She immediately reported this to her sister and they went to the police. Qasha was arrested shortly after as the complainant was able to identify him," she said.

DNA EVIDENCE

Regional Court Prosecutor Buyile Sikhosana used DNA evidence directly linking Qasha to the offence. Sikhosana also submitted a Victim Impact Statement compiled by the complainant and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer, Nondumiso Nyembe. In her statement she said that she had to leave her job and go back to her home province as she is still afraid of Qasha. She was also fearful of being alone and had constant flashbacks of the incident. Qasha was sentenced accordingly and the court declared him unfit to possess a firearm.