Brothers Sentenced for Raping Their Cousin

07 April 2025

Brothers Sentenced for Raping Their Cousin

The Gqeberha Regional Court has sentenced a 30-year-old man and his 22-year-old brother to life imprisonment, and ten years, respectively, for the rape of their minor cousin. They are not named to protect the identity of the victim who shares the same surname as she is born of their maternal aunt. The crimes occurred in June 2014 at a house they shares at Soweto on Sea near Gqeberha.

In 2018, the victim's younger sister was playing with old books at home when she discovered a letter written by the victim. She gave it to their mother, who confronted the young girl. The minor, who was seven years old at the time of the offence, admitted that she had been raped by the two brothers. The mother then confronted them, but they denied the allegations.

The victim’s mother reported the matter to the police, and the brothers were arrested. The minor girl was taken to the Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC), where she was medically and psychologically treated.

Regional Court Prosecutor, Wonga Jita, led the evidence of the victim. She testified that after school, she would go to her aunt's house, where one of the brothers lived. Whenever her aunt was not around, Melumzi would sexually assault her on multiple occasions. On one occasion, Nkululeko visited the house, and Melumzi instructed him to rape the her, which he did. Additional evidence was provided by the victim's mother, who detailed her confrontation with the brothers and their family. A medical report also confirmed the possibility of penetration.

Court preparation officer (CPO), Eric Blouw, compiled a Victim Impact Statement (VIS) which outlined the significant psychological and emotional trauma the complainant has suffered as a result of the assault.

Nkululeko, who was an adult at the time of the offence, was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Minimum Sentence Act. Melumzi, who was a minor at the time, was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment. It was ordered that their names be entered in the sexual offenders register.

Welcoming the sentence, Mr Barry Madolo, Director of Public Prosecutions for the Eastern Cape, commended the court's decision. He stated that the sentence sends a clear message that such crimes will not be tolerated and that the justice system will hold perpetrators accountable, ensuring that vulnerable victims are protected.

Issued by:

Luxolo Tyali
NPA Regional Spokesperson
Eastern Cape Division
Tel: 047 501 2630
Email: ltyali@npa.gov.za
Enquiries: nmakupula@npa.gov.za /0682682474