South Africa Case Law

M.P.S v S (A21/2024)

M.P.S v S (A21/2024) [2025] ZAGPJHC 703 (21 July 2025)

Court

South Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg

Case number

A21/2024

Judges

Malindi, Mia

The appeal court found that the trial court correctly applied the cautionary rule to the evidence of the complainant, a single child witness. The complainant's account was corroborated by medical evidence indicating injuries consistent with vaginal penetration, her mother's testimony regarding her pain and distress, and her consistent reporting of the incident. The contradictions in the State's case were not material and did not undermine the overall credibility of the complainant. The appellant's denial was found to be false and not reasonably possibly true when viewed against the totality o…

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• Rape Of Minor
• Single Witness Cautionary Rule
• Credibility Of Child Witness
• Corroboration
• Minimum Sentences Act
• Powers Of Appeal Court

Mbombie v S (AR296/2019)

Mbombie v S (AR296/2019) [2025] ZAKZPHC 23 (28 February 2025)

Court

Kwazulu-Natal High Court, Pietermaritzburg

Case number

AR296/2019

Judges

Mngadi, Jikela

The High Court upheld an appeal against a rape conviction, finding material discrepancies, no corroboration, and a trial misdirection on the evidence.

• Rape
• Credibility Of Child Witness
• Single Witness Evidence
• Corroboration
• Minimum Sentencing
• Interpreter Competence

Ngubane v S (A41/2020)

Ngubane v S (A41/2020) [2024] ZAGPJHC 1302 (23 December 2024)

Court

South Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg

Case number

A41/2020

Judges

Yacoob, Bokako

The High Court upheld an appeal against rape and kidnapping convictions, finding material contradictions, weak corroboration, and reasonable doubt.

• Rape
• Kidnapping
• Single Witness Evidence
• Burden Of Proof
• Reasonable Doubt
• Corroboration

Maphumulo v S (AR388/2022)

Maphumulo v S (AR388/2022) [2024] ZAKZPHC 90 (18 October 2024)

Court

Kwazulu-Natal High Court, Pietermaritzburg

Case number

AR388/2022

Judges

Radebe, Mossop

The High Court upheld an appeal against a rape conviction and life sentence after finding no inquiry into the complainant’s competence and no proper corroboration.

• Rape
• Single Witness Evidence
• Mental Capacity Of Witness
• Corroboration
• Alibi
• Minimum Sentencing

T.R v S (A36/2023)

T.R v S (A36/2023) [2023] ZAGPJHC 1403 (4 December 2023)

Court

South Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg

Case number

A36/2023

Judges

WJ Du Plessis, PJ Johnson

The court found that the complainant's evidence, although she was a single witness, was credible, detailed, and corroborated by medical and circumstantial evidence, including injuries consistent with forceful vaginal penetration and the presence of relevant items at the appellant's residence. The appellant's version was found to be riddled with improbabilities and inconsistencies, including contradictory statements regarding consensual sex and denial of sexual intercourse. The trial court's rejection of the appellant's version was justified. The sentencing was appropriate given the gravity of…

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• Rape
• Minimum Sentencing
• Single Witness Evidence
• Corroboration
• Appeal Procedure
• Sentencing Discretion

J.J.K v S (A266/22)

J.J.K v S (A266/22) [2023] ZAGPPHC 738 (1 September 2023)

Court

North Gauteng High Court, Pretoria

Case number

A266/22

Judges

R B Mkhabela, M P Motha

The appeal court found no misdirection or irregularity in the trial court's approach. The trial court correctly treated the complainant's evidence with caution, as he was both a single and child witness, and found his testimony credible, consistent, and corroborated by objective evidence, including medical findings and the social worker's report. The appellant's version was contradicted by his own witness and lacked logical explanation, particularly regarding the circumstances of undressing the complainant. The alleged motive for false implication was unsupported by evidence. The trial court'…

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• Rape
• Child Witness Evidence
• Credibility Assessment
• Single Witness Rule
• Corroboration
• Criminal Procedure Act

Mahlangu v S (A176/2022)

Mahlangu v S (A176/2022) [2023] ZAFSHC 269 (10 July 2023)

Court

Free State High Court, Bloemfontein

Case number

A176/2022

Judges

Reinders, Berry

The High Court dismissed an appeal against convictions for kidnapping and rape, finding the complainant’s evidence was properly corroborated and the sentences justified.

• Rape
• Kidnapping
• Single Witness Evidence
• Sentencing Prerogative
• Corroboration
• Appeal Dismissal

M.L v S (A113/2022)

M.L v S (A113/2022) [2023] ZAGPJHC 490 (16 May 2023)

Court

South Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg

Case number

A113/2022

Judges

M.M Mabesele, M.P Kumalo

The High Court upheld an appeal against convictions for kidnapping, rape and assault, finding the evidence did not prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

• Rape
• Kidnapping
• Assault With Intent To Cause Grievous Bodily Harm
• Single Witness Evidence
• Reasonable Doubt
• Corroboration

Molete v S (A 135/2022)

Molete v S (A 135/2022) [2023] ZAFSHC 190 (12 May 2023)

Court

Free State High Court, Bloemfontein

Case number

A 135/2022

Judges

Mhlambi, Van Rhyn

The High Court upheld an appeal against a rape conviction, finding material contradictions in the State’s evidence and concluding guilt was not proved beyond reasonable doubt.

• Rape
• Credibility Of Witnesses
• Contradictory Evidence
• Onus Of Proof
• Appeal Procedure
• Criminal-appeal

Thabang v S (A64/2022)

Thabang v S (A64/2022) [2023] ZAGPJHC 424 (2 May 2023)

Court

South Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg

Case number

A64/2022

Judges

S Yacoob, W Karam

Appeal against a rape conviction dismissed after the High Court found the complainant credible and the appellant’s version inconsistent.

• Rape
• Credibility Of Witnesses
• Consent
• Corroboration
• Assessment Of Probabilities
• Criminal-appeal