The Madadeni Regional Court has handed four men life sentence for gang-raping a lady in 2017.
In addition to life, the four men, aged between 25 and 28 were handed another 20 years for kidnapping and robbery.
The accused, Njabulo Hadebe, 25, Manqoba Madela, 26,Sanele Ndwandwe, 27, and Bhekumuzi Mdluli, 28 stopped to offer the 33-year-old woman a lift.
The victim had been hitch-hiking from Newcastle to Madadeni in January 2017 with her friend.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority, the friend did not hop into the car.
“The men stopped and gave her a lift and on the way to Madadeni, they took turns raping her.
“They then robbed her of her cellphone, tablet, and cash of R120, dropping her off at an unknown area.
“They were arrested because the victim’s friend had taken down the number plate of their vehicle,” said NPA spokesperson Natasha Kara.
Kara said SAPS also tracked the victim’s mobile phone, as the men were still using the device.
The victim told the court that the incident had traumatised; how she is still haunted by her ordeal, feels ashamed around men and distrusts men.
She added that she was unable to return to work or maintain stable relationships with men.
“The men were sentenced to life imprisonment for rape, 15 years for robbery and five years for kidnapping. The court ordered that the sentences for robbery and kidnapping run concurrently. They will effectively serve life imprisonment,” said Kara.
The NPA welcomed the judgement, saying the law remains ruthless against sexual predators and gender-based violence.