Ernest Khoza has been sentenced to 25 years' direct imprisonment.
A 49-year-old Northern Cape man has been sentenced to 25 years’ direct imprisonment in the Kimberley Sexual Offences Court for raping a woman in the presence of her toddler after breaking into their home.
Ernest Khoza was convicted on charges of rape, housebreaking with intent to rob, and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
The crime took place in Warrenton in 2018. The court heard that Khoza and another man broke into a residence and held the occupants, a 37-year-old woman, her husband, and a two-year-old child, at gunpoint. During the ordeal, the woman was raped in the presence of her toddler. The court heard that the men wore balaclavas in an attempt to conceal their identities.
The State presented compelling circumstantial and forensic evidence, including DNA evidence that linked Khoza to the crimes.
