The East London Regional Court sentenced a 56-year-old man to 18 years’ direct imprisonment on Tuesday, 31 March 2026, for the rape of his 11-year-old niece. Buffalo City District Commissioner Major General Christopher Wright welcomed the sentence.
The incident occurred on 13 January 2024 at Tuba Location, Kwelera, where the victim resided with relatives. According to court proceedings, the accused entered a room where the victim was sleeping alongside cousins of a similar age. The accused, who was intoxicated at the time, forcibly undressed the child and raped her. It was later established that the assault was not an isolated incident.
The victim awoke later that night and reported the assault to her mother, who observed the accused exiting the room where the child had been sleeping. The matter was formally raised with family members in April 2024. During a subsequent family meeting, the accused denied all allegations. That same month, a medical examination conducted at a local clinic confirmed penetration had occurred. The mother opened a formal rape case on 1 May 2024.
Constable Duma Bam of the Mdantsane Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit led the investigation. The suspect was arrested at his residence on 9 May 2024. He made his first court appearance on 10 May 2024, where bail was successfully opposed by the state. He remained in custody throughout the duration of the trial.
In addition to the 18-year prison term, the court declared the accused unfit to possess a firearm and ordered that his name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.