A Newcastle man has been sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for a savage assault on a nine-year-old girl, leaving her with severe injuries requiring hospitalisation.
Lizzy Arumugam, Spokesperson for Newcastle SAPS, confirmed that 33-year-old Sakhile Nkosinathi Zulu received a 15-year prison sentence for the attack on the child during a domestic violence incident, causing grievous bodily harm.
“The incident occurred on 3 December, 2024, when the victim was chased and brutally assaulted by the accused, resulting in open wounds on her face and hospitalisation,” said Arumugam.
Furthermore, Arumugam added that Zulu was recently convicted at the Madadeni Regional Court and deemed unfit to possess a firearm.
Following Zulu’s sentencing, Arugugam stressed the Investigating Officer played a major role in the conviction. She said, “Constable Mtambo demonstrated outstanding investigation skills, which were instrumental in cracking the case and bringing the perpetrator to justice. The Commander of FCS Lt Colonel SL Chapi commended Constable Mtambo for his outstanding work and demonstrates the SAPS’s unwavering commitment to protecting our communities, especially vulnerable children,” said Arumugam.
The conviction of Sakhile Nkosinathi Zulu delivers justice for a child’s unimaginable suffering.
Yet, it lays bare the heart-wrenching crisis of violence against children, which the government’s May 2025 Child Protection Month campaign, themed “Working together in ending violence against children,” declared a national scourge. Urging citizens to report abuse to the SAPS Crime Stop line (08600 10111), the campaign reflects a desperate plea to protect South Africa’s young, with 33 children attacked daily, as UNICEF noted in late 2023.
This case, amid April 2025 protests over similar atrocities, demands our collective grief and action. The government’s National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, backed by R21 billion, and Minister Siviwe Gwarube’s call for vetting against the National Register for Sex Offenders signal hope, yet delays persist. As President Cyril Ramaphosa calls this a “second pandemic,” we must unite to shield every child, ensuring their laughter, not their cries, defines South Africa’s future.
What are your thoughts on the above? Share your views in the comment section below.
2 Responses
I applaud the SAPS for there remarkable work. As this was a case involving a child, I would like to ask the following question.
Is it deemed “okay” here in Newcastle KZN South Africa for people to break laws where children is involved? Even traffic law’s in this instance.
How is it okay for a man to ride around town on his blue motorcycle & his passenger is a little boy who’s arms cannot even reache all the way around the adult’s waist to ensure a safe enough seat on said motorcycle. And this took place Friday the 16th of May 2025 in Victoria street @ 16:00 which is the busiest time of the day as so many people are on there way home from work. The child did wear a helmet but again the required safety helmet for a child if that age where no where to be seen, he wore a adult helmet which in case of any accident will proof to be nul in void for that little child.
So why is such wrongful behaviour just looked over as if it is a normality in Newcastle?
I applaud the SAPS for there remarkable work. As this was a case involving a child, I would like to ask the following question.
Is it deemed “okay” here in Newcastle KZN South Africa for people to break laws where children is involved? Even traffic law’s in this instance.
How is it okay for a man to ride around town on his blue motorcycle & his passenger is a little boy who’s arms cannot even reache all the way around the adult’s waist to ensure a safe enough seat on said motorcycle. And this took place Friday the 16th of May 2025 in Victoria street @ 16:00 which is the busiest time of the day as so many people are on there way home from work. The child did wear a helmet but again the required safety helmet for a child if that age where no where to be seen, he wore a adult helmet which in case of any accident will proof to be nul in void for that little child.
So why is such wrongful behaviour just looked over as if it is a normality in Newcastle?