Justice served: Serial rapist Mthethwa gets five life sentences for reign of terror in Richards Bay
Muzikhona Khehla Mthethwa, a serial rapist who terrorized the Richards Bay area, has been sentenced by the Mtunzini Regional Court to five life imprisonments and an additional 155 years in jail.
The sentencing follows his conviction on seven counts of rape and 14 other charges, including two counts of attempted murder, three counts of robbery, housebreaking, and assault.
According to KwaZulu-Natal Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda, Mthethwa’s crimes began in March 2017 when he raped a woman in KwaMbonambi and attempted to kill her by strangulation.
“During his cold-blooded raping spree, Mthethwa also came across three women in Richards Bay. He fired a shot at one woman and raped the other whilst forcing the other victims to witness the act,” Colonel Netshiunda explained.
His youngest victim was a 13-year-old girl whom he raped after breaking into her home.
A team of detectives from the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit connected the cases, leading to Mthethwa’s arrest in 2021. Colonel Netshiunda confirmed that Mthethwa’s name will be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.
In a separate matter, the Madadeni Regional Court sentenced a 25-year-old man to two life imprisonments for the rape of two minor boys, aged 13 and 9, in August 2024 in the Osizweni area near Newcastle.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara stated that the incident occurred when the victims had accompanied the 13-year-old boy’s sister to a friend’s house to study. While the girls were inside, the boys played outside. The perpetrator arrived, called the boys into the garage—which had been converted into a bedroom—locked the door, and raped them one at a time before letting them go.
The incident was not immediately reported. A week later, the 13-year-old victim’s school teacher noticed he looked unwell. When asked what was wrong, he said he was unwell and wanted to go home.
His grandmother was called to school, and as they walked back home, the victim confided in her that he had been raped. He was then taken to the Madadeni Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC) for examination. The grandmother then informed the mother of the second victim about the rape incident. The second victim also confirmed that he was raped.
Both boys were assisted at the TCC. The boys subsequently identified the man to the police, leading to his arrest.
“In a victim impact statement handed to the court by the State prosecutor, Cindy-Lee Alberts, both victims mentioned that they were fearful of the accused when the incident happened. They further said that they now have trust issues and are fearful of strangers,” Ramkisson-Kara said.
In addition to the life sentences, the court declared the rapist unfit to work with children and possess a firearm. His name has also been ordered to be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.
nomonde.zondi@inl.co.za