JUSTICE was served yesterday as Thokozani Bhutizi Ntshangase was sentenced to life in prison for rape and murder.
In December 2010, Ntshangase raped Nkosingiphile Mpiwe Zibane (35) and strangled her to death. Her body was found a day later on Grantham Farm near Felixton.
It took a few months for the SAPS to arrest Ntshangase, during which time he raped a 14-year-old girl, in September 2011, in the Nbabayakhe area near Empangeni. He was arrested shortly thereafter.
Charged with nine counts in total, which included rape, murder and robbery, the 36-year-old heard his fate at the Mtubatuba High Court on Thursday.
Ntshangase was acquitted on the first count of rape, which dated to before the murder of Zibane, owing to no corroboration between the complainant’s testimony and that of her family member who also testified. However, he was convicted as charged on the remaining eight counts, most of which fall under the sexual offences and related matters of criminal law.
Charges two and three, the murder and rape of Zibane, were taken as one for the sentencing, for which Ntshangase received life in prison. Four more counts of sexual offences led to a second life sentence.
Two lesser charges of robbery saw a total of 30 years added to Ntshangase’s life sentences. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
On behalf of the State, Judge Nkosi opposed Ntshangase’s application to appeal and refused any further leave to appeal.
Ntshangase will serve his sentence at Qalakabusha Prison in Empangeni.
Bring back the death sentence! Hope he rot in jail.