Durban technician sentenced to life for murder and rape of student pilot.

By: Ntsikelelo Jonga | Durban

Iman Tshakeni was a trainee pilot with a bright future. She went out one night in Durban and was last seen at a tavern near Clare Estate. A man named Ndabenhle Majola, a fridge technician, left the place with her.

Later that night, her body was found on a farm in Canelands by a farmer who saw something in the grass and called for help. Police came and identified her by her pink hair. She had been attacked, killed, and then taken 32km away from where she was last seen.

Majola said he was innocent and told the court that his car “overheated,” but police, forensics, and tracking evidence proved he was lying.

The Durban High Court has now sentenced him to:

Life in prison for killing her.

10 extra years for the assault.

He will serve his time at Westville Prison.

Iman was only trying to build her life and follow her dreams. Her story is a reminder that the world is not safe for many women, and we must continue to fight against GBV.