BOTHAVILLE – The Free State High Court sitting in Welkom sentenced Sabata Nkatsa (31) to two life terms for murder and rape.

The court heard that Nkatsa followed his victim to her destination in Bothaville in the early hours of Friday, 4 August 2023. He raped her and stabbed her 17 times with a knife before fleeing the scene.

A group of male friends heard screams from a nearby room at about 02:23. Upon investigating, they saw a door that was slightly open. They pushed the door open and saw Nkatsa fleeing with a knife in his hand, leaving the victim lying in a pool of blood with multiple stab wounds.

Screams were heard

Ruzel Duiker (28) later succumbed to her injuries.

Nkatsa evaded police from the time of the incident until Sergeant Dannis Mokoena of the Bothaville Detective Services traced and arrested him in Stilfontein on 4 May 2025.

Nkatsa was denied bail and remained in custody until his conviction.

Evidence presented by the investigation team alongside Advocate Nyakama of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) led to Nkatsa being found guilty on both counts.

Presiding judge Chesiwe sentenced him to life imprisonment for murder and life imprisonment for rape. The court ordered that the two sentences run concurrently.