The Acting Amathole District Commissioner, Brigadier Zinikele Freddie, has welcomed the sentence handed down by the Bhisho High Court to Aviwe Rhasi (29) of Alice on Wednesday, 8 April 2026.
Rhasi was sentenced to two life terms of direct imprisonment for the murder and rape of a 69-year-old woman in Alice. He was further declared unfit to possess a firearm.
The incident occurred more than five years ago. On the morning of Thursday, 30 December 2021, relatives of the victim reported to police after finding the deceased inside her house in Jojozi location, Alice.
On the same day, a preliminary investigation led to Rhasi’s arrest. He was subsequently released on bail. On several occasions thereafter, Rhasi failed to appear in court. On 23 May 2025, the court issued a warrant for his arrest. He was later re-arrested in September 2025 and remained in custody until the date of sentencing.
Forensic evidence positively linked Rhasi to the crime scene.