Newcastle: The Newcastle Regional Court has sentenced Lucky Zwane, aged 46, to fifteen years of direct imprisonment for the rape of a 27-year-old victim. The incident took place in August 2011 in the Eziqhazeni area under the Nquthu policing precinct.
According to South African Police Service, in July 2012, the Dundee Magistrate’s Court found Zwane guilty. However, on the day of sentencing, Zwane absconded and failed to return to court, prompting a warrant of arrest to be issued against him.
In September 2024, police received information that Zwane had been sighted in Newcastle. A team from the Dundee Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit, led by Detective Sergeant Nolwandle Buthelezi, acted on this intelligence and successfully apprehended the fugitive.
On Thursday, 6 March 2025, Zwane was brought before the Newcastle Regional Court, where he was sentenced to fifteen years of direct imprisonment for rape. The South African Police Service remains committed to ensuring justice and holding perpetrators of serious crimes accountable, irrespective of the time elapsed.