By STAFF REPORTER
2 November 2026 – A man (44) was sentenced to life imprisonment for rape and assault. This comes after his conviction for raping and assaulting partner (21) with intent to cause Grievous Bodily Harm GBH).
On 14 November 2024, Dan Murphy, who was in a relationship with the victim, returned home and accused her of being unfaithful. An argument ensued, during which he assaulted her with his fists, forcibly pulled out her hair and raped her.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Lindiwe Mabasa said the victim subsequently reported the incident to the authorities, leading to Murphy’s arrest. Mabasa said he pleaded guilty to the assault charge, but denied raping the victim, claiming that their sexual intercourse was consensual.
“During the trial, the state, represented by prosecutor Thandi Ntoyi, argued that Murphy had shown no remorse for his actions and had subjected the victim to further trauma by forcing her to testify in court.
“The prosecution also highlighted the prevalence of GBV within the court’s jurisdiction and emphasised the seriousness of the offences. It further argued that Murphy had deliberately humiliated the victim by forcibly removing her hair, thereby violating her dignity and sense of identity,” she said.
Mabasa further said in her testimony, the victim described the emotional and psychological effects of the attack, including difficulty sleeping and recurring nightmares. She added that her trauma was further compounded by the fact that the rape and assault took place in the presence of the couple’s child (2).
“The court rejected Murphy’s version of events and found him guilty on both counts. In sentencing, the court emphasised the seriousness and prevalence of rape, as well as the devastating impact such offences have on victims and society.
“Murphy was sentenced to life imprisonment for rape and an additional 10 years imprisonment for assault with intent to cause GBH. The court ordered that the sentences run concurrently,” said Mabasa.
He said the court further declared him unfit to possess a firearm and directed that his particulars be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.
Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, welcomed the sentence and urged members of the public to refrain from all forms of domestic violence and Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF). Makhari encouraged victims of abuse to report such offences and reaffirmed the NPA’s commitment to supporting victims and ensuring that perpetrators of GBVF are held accountable.
“The NPA remains committed to fighting gender-based violence and femicide and ensuring that perpetrators face the full might of the law. We encourage victims of abuse to speak out and report these crimes so that they can receive the necessary support and access to justice.
“The NPA also commended Prosecutor Thandi Ntoyi for her diligent handling of the case and Constable Tshwarelo Sehaule of the South African Police Service (SAPS) for conducting a thorough investigation that contributed to securing the conviction and sentence,” she said.
Makhari said through its Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs), the NPA continues to work with other criminal justice stakeholders to provide victim-centred support and facilitate access to justice for survivors of sexual offences and their families. She said the authority reiterated its commitment to prosecuting cases of GBV across the country and ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable.
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