The complainant, who was 10 years old when the abuse began, is the biological sister of the second accused. Following the death of her mother, she moved in with the couple, where the court heard she was subjected to prolonged abuse between 2021 and 2023.
The Durban Regional Court has sentenced a 30-year-old man and his 30-year-old wife to life imprisonment following their conviction on multiple charges, including attempted murder of a minor, child abuse, child neglect and intimidation.
The offences were committed in the Welbadacht East area, outside Durban, where the couple lived with the victim.
The complainant, who was 10 years old when the abuse began, is the biological sister of the second accused. Following the death of her mother, she moved in with the couple, where the court heard she was subjected to prolonged abuse between 2021 and 2023.
The court was told that the child endured repeated physical assaults, severe neglect and deprivation, and was prevented from attending school. She eventually escaped the home during a power outage and sought help from a neighbour, who alerted authorities.
