The Bloemfontein S3xual Offences Court in South Africa has convicted and sentenced Vuyisane Makeleni (24) to 20 years of direct imprisonment for the r@pe of a 3-year-old girl.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in a statement on March 18, 2026 said that at the time of the incident, the accused was employed as a cook at the creche the child attended. He was also responsible for doing odd jobs around the creche.
“On 09 May 2024, the accused, who was at work at the creche, accompanied the victim to the toilets,” the statement read.
“Once inside the toilet, he r@ped her. After committing this heinous crime, the accused threatened the victim and informed her not to tell anybody about the incident.
Later that evening, whilst at home, the victim complained about pain to her mother.
Her mother started questioning her, and the victim told her mother what had happened earlier in the day.
The victim was taken for medical examination, and genital injuries were found.
The police were informed, and they promptly commenced the investigations.
During the investigations of the rape matter, it was discovered that the creche was not registered and was immediately closed.
The accused was then arrested and charged with r@pe of a minor.
In aggravation of sentence, Advocate Ronel Botha, appearing for the State, submitted that the court should impose a sentence commensurate with the gravity of the offence.
She emphasised that the accused had egregiously breached the trust placed in him by both the child and the parents, who regarded him as a responsible custodian of young lives.
Advocate Botha further argued that the accused poses a serious danger to society and that a custodial sentence is necessary to remove him from the community and safeguard vulnerable children from further harm.
In sentencing, the court found the accused guilty of a charge of r@pe and sentenced him to 20 years of direct imprisonment.
The court also ordered that his name be included in the S3xual Offenders Register.
“The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) remains resolute in its commitment to combat the scourge of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), with particular focus on the protection of children, who are among the most vulnerable in our society. Crimes against children are not only detestable but strike at the very core of our constitutional values and collective humanity,” the statement added.
“The NPA prioritises the effective prosecution of such heinous offences, ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable through victim-centred, trauma-informed approaches that safeguard the dignity and rights of young victims throughout the judicial process.
“Through strengthened collaboration with law enforcement, social services, and community stakeholders, the NPA continues to enhance its prosecutorial strategies to secure justice swiftly and decisively.
“The Specialised units such as the SOCA and, through its Thuthuzela Care Centres, continuously train prosecutors, and the use of dedicated courts for s3xual offences underscores the NPA’s unwavering stance against GBVF.
“By pursuing harsher sentences and advocating for the protection of victims and witnesses, the NPA aims not only to deliver justice but also to deter future crimes and restore public confidence in the criminal justice system.”
