EASTERN CAPE – Lelethu Nkosana, 27, has been sentenced to two concurrent life terms for the brutal murder and rape of eight-year-old Veronique May, concluding a high-profile case in the Gqeberha High Court. The sentencing, delivered on Monday, 17 August 2026, marks a signifiLelethu Nkosana Sentenced to Two Life Terms for Murder and Rape of Eight-Year-Old Veronique Maycant judicial response to gender-based violence and crimes against children in the Eastern Cape.
The case originated when Veronique May was reported missing by her family at the South African Police Service (SAPS) Kamesh station on Sunday, 05 October 2025. An immediate police search was initiated by the SAPS Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit in Kariega. Investigators quickly obtained information regarding the individual with whom the child was last seen. Following initial questioning, the suspect led the investigating officer to a premises located on De Booi Street in Langa on Monday, 06 October 2025, where the child’s lifeless body was discovered in one of the rooms.
During the sentencing proceedings, the High Court in Gqeberha found Nkosana guilty on multiple charges. He received a three-year imprisonment term for housebreaking, a life sentence for rape, and a life sentence for murder. The court ordered that these sentences run concurrently. Additionally, Nkosana’s name has been formally entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.
The SAPS FCS Unit welcomed the successful conclusion of the case. Acting Nelson Mandela Bay District Commissioner, Brigadier Loyiso Ngalo, publicly commended the investigating team, under the leadership of Warrant Officer Mbulelo Grootboom, for their dedication and commitment to ensuring that justice was served.
“The loss of a child is devastating, and this sentence demonstrates that SAPS will continue to pursue perpetrators of crimes against children and ensure that they are held accountable,” Brigadier Ngalo stated.
In light of the case, the SAPS continues to urge local communities to remain vigilant. Authorities are calling on the public to actively protect children and report any suspicious behavior or information related to crimes against minors directly to the police.
