South African man to serve 2 life sentences for defilement and brutal murder of 8-year-old girl

Tuesday, August 18, 2026 -A South African man with a previous domestic violence conviction has been sentenced by the Gqeberha High Court to two life terms plus three years for the r@pe and m8rder of an 8-year-old girl, Veronica May.

Lelethu Nkosana (27) was sentenced on Monday, August 17, 2026.

In his plea explanation, Nkosana admitted that he saw Veronique, who was known to him, while she was playing with other children and he agreed to give her money if she accompanied him to the room of his relative. 

He admitted that when they arrived, he realised the room was locked and formulated the intention to break down the door and enter.

He further admitted that he undressed Veronique and s3xually assaulted her without her consent. 

The plea agreement recorded that Nkosana acknowledged that he knew his actions were unlawful.

In relation to the m3rder charge, Nkosana admitted that after the s3xual assault, he became overwhelmed by shock and fear and decided to strangle Veronique until she became unresponsive. 

He further admitted that he knew strangling her would result in her d3ath but proceeded despite knowing this.

The plea agreement also records that Nkosana’s DNA was recovered during the medical examination of Veronique and from her clothing. 

His fingerprints were also found at the scene, according to the agreement.

The agreement states that Nkosana (27) has no previous convictions. 

It records that he is unmarried and has a daughter (4) who lives with her mother. 

He had completed Grade 10 and did odd jobs to contribute towards his child’s maintenance, while also selling raw meat for a neighbour to earn an income.

The court was also told that Nkosana acknowledged the seriousness of the offences and had allegedly shown remorse after realising what he had done. 

His guilty plea was presented as an expression of remorse and as having spared the State witnesses, particularly Veronique’s family, from having to testify and relive the traumatic events.

However, the plea agreement also records that the circumstances of the case were considered so serious that the interests of society outweighed the accused’s personal circumstances.

Nkosana accepted that there were no substantial and compelling circumstances that would allow the court to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentences.

The State and Nkosana’s legal representative, Mxolisi Moolman, agreed on a sentence of three years’ imprisonment for housebreaking with intent to r@pe and m8rder, life imprisonment for r@pe, and life imprisonment for m8rder.

 The plea agreement states that Nkosana was informed that, after entering into the agreement in terms of Section 105A of the Criminal Procedure Act, he could not appeal against the conviction and/or sentence imposed under the agreement.

Speaking to journalists, investigating officer, Warrant Officer Mbulelo Grootboom, attached to the Family Violence, Child Protection and S3xual Offences (FCS), said he is happy with the conviction after the work he and his team did to investigate the matter. 

The court heard that even if Nkosana had not pleaded guilty, the State had overwhelming evidence that could produce a conviction.

As convictions relating to r@pe are challenging to investigate, Grootboom said this win is thanks to the great help of the forensic team.

“If any case is conducted correctly by those involved, it becomes easier to get a conviction,” he said. “When I arrested him, Nkosana was wearing the same clothes he wore when he killed the victim. We managed to swab the clothes and lift the DNA of the victim.”

Grootboom was so determined to get a conviction that he placed a photo of Veronique on his desk to serve as a reminder to secure a conviction, not only for this case but also for all other matters of this nature he is investigating. 

“I do this to remind myself of the brutally m8rdered child’s family who deserves justice. I would follow up on all outstanding information related to the case to say that I have at least done something today. It is not easy to see the photo daily, as it reminds me of the crime scene I witnessed, but it keeps me motivated,” he said.

He added that not only is he happy with the sentence imposed, but he welcomes the inclusion of Nkosana’s name in the National Sex Offenders’ Register. 

“To me, this conviction sends a serious message out there to the perpetrators of such gruesome acts," he said.

Veronique’s mother, Destiny, told the Express that although she wanted justice, namely the conviction of Nkosana, now that she has seen it, there is nothing that could make her forget the pain of losing her daughter.

“As a woman in this month, I feel brave that I have made it out of this case, stronger than I was before. I am glad the sentencing happened this month, as a statement to remind those who would do something like this that justice will prevail," she said.