KZN Man Gets Life For Raping 5-Year-Old Cousin In Esikhawini

The Esikhawini Regional Court handed down the life sentence on Monday, 17 November 2025. The man, who was also the young girl’s neighbour, was known to the victim.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the crime occurred after the man returned home from school and went to the child’s house to wait for her mother, who was out running errands.

NPA spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara detailed the events: “Upon the complainant’s arrival, the child’s mother left, leaving the complainant with the accused and some other children. The accused then took the complainant to a nearby rondavel where he raped her.”

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No Remorse Shown for Childhood Shattered

Prosecutor Kamogelo Mahila Nkwatle informed the court that the accused had shown no remorse for his actions. “He was in a position of trust as he was an older relative of the complainant, and was meant to protect her. Instead, he abused that trust,” the state argued.

The case against him was strengthened by a Victim Impact Statement (VIS) from the young survivor. Ramkisson-Kara stated, “Therein, the complainant stated that before the incident, she was happy, but after the incident, she was sad all the time.”

The child’s mother immediately sought help after the attack. “The complainant’s mother confronted the accused, but he denied the allegations,” said Ramkisson-Kara. The victim was taken to the Ngwelezane Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC) for crucial medico-legal and psychosocial assistance.

Life Sentence and Sex Offender Register

In sentencing, the court emphasised the gravity of abusing a position of trust and the lasting impact on the child. The court found no grounds for leniency. The man was declared unfit to possess a firearm and unsuitable to work with children. The court also ordered that his name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.

The NPA highlighted the role of TCCs in supporting victims. “The NPA’s fight against the scourge of sexual violence has been aided by the expansion of the TCC footprint across the country, which has grown. The TCCs provide comprehensive services and support to victims of sexual violence,” Ramkisson-Kara said.

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