Two KwaZulu-Natal men have been sentenced to a combined five life terms for the rape of young children in separate cases heard in Port Shepstone and Scottburgh, with police praising the convictions as a victory for justice and child protection.

In the first case, the Port Shepstone Regional Court sentenced a 38-year-old man to two life terms and an additional 10 years’ imprisonment. He was convicted of raping two girls, aged 9 and 15, and forcing two other children to watch. 

KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the two children went to his house, and the man made them sit on the sofa.

Once inside, he sexually assaulted the two girls while compelling the others to watch. The nine-year-old victim told her mother about the ordeal, and a case of rape was duly opened for investigation. The Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit detectives wasted no time in arresting the 38-year-old.

In a separate matter, the Scottburgh Regional Court handed down three life sentences to a 51-year-old man for raping his 10-year-old neighbour and two of her friends, aged 6 and 11, in Madlala Location, Southport.

“The aunt of the 10-year-old noticed a change in behaviour on her niece and questioned her. After examining her private parts, the aunt noticed bruises, and the inconsolable child told her that her neighbour had been raping her and the other two children from the beginning of 2022,” said Netshiunda.

Both men were declared unfit to possess firearms, and their convictions have been welcomed by law enforcement and child protection advocates.

IOL 

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