19-year-old jailed for 20 years for rape of nine-year-old neighbour in KwaZulu-Natal

A 19-year-old woman has been sentenced to 20 years’ direct imprisonment after a regional court found she raped her nine-year-old neighbour in the Ibisi area of KwaZulu-Natal.

Sentence handed down at Umzimkhulu Regional Court

The Umzimkhulu Regional Court delivered the sentence on October 5, 2026, after finding the woman guilty of the sexual assault. The court heard that the child was called into the woman’s room and sexually assaulted.

Police description of the assault

KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the woman instructed the nine-year-old to undress before assaulting her.

“The woman called the victim to her room where she instructed the child to undress and raped her with her fingers,” Netshiunda said.

Related sentences at the same court

The conviction was among several lengthy sentences handed down by the Umzimkhulu Regional Court following investigations by the Kokstad Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit.

Netshiunda said the court had a busy end to the month as serious sexual offences cases reached the sentencing stage.

Serial rapist sentenced to life terms

In a separate case before the court, Tenes Hassan, 33, was sentenced to six terms of life imprisonment for raping six women in Umzimkhulu between January and December 2022. Police said Hassan broke into homes where women were alone or with their children, demanded cellphones and money and then raped them. The source says most of the attacks occurred between 2am and 3am.

Detectives from the Kokstad Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit connected Hassan to the six cases using DNA evidence. Hassan was also sentenced to an additional eight years for housebreaking.

Uncle jailed for life for rape of five-year-old niece

The same court sentenced a 45-year-old man to life imprisonment for raping his five-year-old niece in the Gowan Lea policing precinct on December 28, 2025. Police said the girl was playing at a neighbour’s house when her uncle called her to his home; her brother followed but was chased away before the attack.

National Register for Sex Offenders

Police said all three convicted offenders will have their names entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.

This report is based on statements and court outcomes provided by KwaZulu-Natal police and proceedings at the Umzimkhulu Regional Court.