Andile Nkomo, 36, was sentenced to life imprisonment and declared unfit to possess a firearm by the Komani Regional Court on 12 June 2026 for the rape of his ex-girlfriend.
South African Police Service (SAPS) Chris Hani District Commissioner Major General Rudolph Adolph welcomed the sentence and commended Detective Sergeant Mhlanguli Gama of the Cofimvaba Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit for his work on the investigation.
The conviction stems from an incident on 24 October 2021 at approximately 22:00. Nkomo forcefully knocked on the door of his 36-year-old ex-girlfriend’s homestead in Mbinzana Locality, Bholothwa Administration Area. When she opened the door, she was accompanied by her 14-year-old daughter. Nkomo demanded the victim accompany him to his residence in Dudumashe Locality, Bholothwa. After she refused, he drew a knife in front of her daughter, prompting the victim to comply out of fear for her life.
Upon arriving at his home, Nkomo severely beat the victim, ordered her to undress, and raped her multiple times throughout the night. The victim escaped the following morning while Nkomo was asleep.
Prior to the attack, the victim had applied for a protection order against Nkomo after he threatened retaliation over their breakup. She reported the incident to the Bholothwa SAPS on 25 October 2021, resulting in Nkomo’s arrest that same day. He remained in custody for three months before being granted bail and made several court appearances leading up to his final sentencing.