Direct Imprisonment for Police Colonel Guilty of Sexual Assault

12 MARCH 2025

Direct Imprisonment for Police Colonel Guilty of Sexual Assault

The Scottburgh District Court has sentenced Vivani Vivian Zuma (55) to six years of direct imprisonment for the sexual assault of two women in 2018 and 2019. At the time of the offences, Zuma held the rank of Colonel and served as the station commissioner at the Umzinto police station. Between August 2018 and September 2019, he committed various acts of sexual assault on the complainants, who were his subordinates at the station. With the first complainant, Zuma would summon her to his office and say that he wanted to kiss her and hug her. He also touched her inappropriately. Zuma committed acts of sexual assault on the second complainant in August 2018 and September 2019, where he also behaved inappropriately.

Zuma appeared in court on summons and pleaded not guilty to the charges, saying that he was in a relationship with the complainants and that his actions were consensual. However, the court rejected his version as being false and not reasonably possibly true.

In the state’s case, Prosecutor Thiloshnee Naidoo led the evidence of the complainants who denied being in a relationship with Zuma. The first reports (the colleagues to whom the complainants first reported the incidents) also testified. In aggravation of sentence, the state handed in Victim Impact Statements compiled by the complainants and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Nokukhanya Truth Mkhize. One complainant said that following her ordeal, she was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress and depression. She also has panic attacks and anxiety. The other complainant said that she had incurred medical expenses for counseling services. Further, she experiences panic attacks and has become socially withdrawn. Zuma was sentenced accordingly, and the court declared him unfit to possess a firearm.

The NPA remains resolute in its fight against gender-based violence, ensuring perpetrators are held accountable, reinforcing that GBV will not be tolerated, and securing justice for victims and survivors.

Issued by:

Natasha Ramkisson-Kara
NPA Regional Spokesperson
KZN Division
Mobile: 071 670 0229