Four men have been sentenced to life imprisonment following a brutal kidnapping and rape case that occurred in 2019. The sentences were handed down on 28 January 2026 in the Evander Regional Court.
The court heard that on Sunday, 24 February 2019, a 37-year-old woman was kidnapped by four men who had covered their heads with hoodies. The suspects grabbed the victim from behind, forcefully placed her into a vehicle and drove away. When she attempted to escape, she was caught and overpowered.
The victim was taken to an open field near a local company where she was raped by all four suspects. She was later driven to the Embalenhle area, where she was again raped inside a shack. As the suspects allegedly discussed killing her, one of the perpetrators intervened, allowing the victim to escape.
Image:(fltr) Khumbula Alfred Magubane (33), Nkosinathi Manana (34), Vusi Kleinboy Nhlapo (29) and Sibusiso Edward Namane (25)
Following a thorough investigation by the Secunda Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit of the South African Police Service (SAPS), all four suspects were traced, arrested and positively linked to the crime. Khumbula Alfred Magubane (33), Nkosinathi Manana (34), Vusi Kleinboy Nhlapo (29) and Sibusiso Edward Namane (25) were found guilty on 2 December 2025.
Each was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment for kidnapping and life imprisonment on two counts of rape. The court also declared the convicted individuals unfit to possess a firearm and ordered that their details be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.
SAPS has reiterated its commitment to protecting women and children and ensuring that perpetrators of violent crimes are brought to justice.
Information and images supplied by the Office of the Provincial Commissioner in Mpumalanga.