On 19 June 2025, the Ermelo Regional Court convicted 40-year-old Wonderboy Liberty Mncina of raping a 7-year-old boy, sentencing him to life imprisonment the following day. The court also declared him unfit to possess a firearm, reflecting the severity of his crime. This ruling highlights the judiciary’s commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals and ensuring justice for victims of sexual assault.
The assault took place on 7 July 2023, when Mncina, a family friend, was allowed to spend the night at the victim’s home. While intoxicated, he forcibly raped the boy in his room, muffling his cries with a cushion. The victim reported the incident to his father, who took him to a clinic where forensic evidence confirmed the assault. Mncina was arrested on 17 July 2023, and the prosecution secured a conviction through strong circumstantial evidence and the victim’s credible testimony.
Acting Provincial Commissioner of SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, praised the verdict, stating it demonstrates the SAPS and judiciary’s dedication to prosecuting crimes against women and children. He commended the victim’s bravery and the investigative team’s professionalism, noting that the life sentence sends a clear message that such crimes will face the full force of the law.