The Acting Amathole District Commissioner, Brigadier Zinikele Freddie, has welcomed the sentence handed down by the Bhisho High Court against 29-year-old Aviwe Rhasi of Alice.
Rhasi was sentenced on Wednesday, 8 April 2026, to two life terms of direct imprisonment for the murder and rape of a 69-year-old woman in Alice, an incident that occurred more than five years ago. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
The court heard that on Thursday, 30 December 2021, relatives of the victim discovered her body inside her home in Jojozi location, Alice, and immediately alerted police.
Preliminary investigations led to Rhasi’s arrest on the same day. He was later released on bail but subsequently failed to appear in court on several occasions. On 23 May 2025, a warrant of arrest was issued, and he was re-arrested in September 2025. He remained in custody until sentencing.
The court further heard that forensic evidence positively linked Rhasi to the crime scene, strengthening the State’s case against him.
Brigadier Freddie praised the work of investigating officer Lieutenant Colonel Nolusindiso Dywili, commending her dedication and professionalism throughout the investigation, which she said played a key role in securing the conviction and harsh sentence.
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