Eight Life Sentences and 160 Years’ Imprisonment for Rape of Three Young Cousins.

A 21-year-old man has been sentenced to eight life sentences and a further 160 years’ imprisonment for sexually abusing his three young cousins.

Akhanya Makeleni was sentenced by the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court, sitting in Bhisho, after pleading guilty to 24 counts of sexual offences committed between 2023 and 2025.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the three children were aged between 10 and 12 at the time of the offences and lived with Makeleni at their grandmother’s home near Qonce.

In his plea explanation, Makeleni admitted to sexually grooming and repeatedly raping the children. He also admitted to committing the offences without protection despite knowing he was born HIV-positive.

The court heard that Makeleni threatened to kill the children if they disclosed the abuse.

The offences came to light after one of the victims told her aunt about the abuse. The other two children subsequently disclosed what had happened, leading to his arrest.

Judge Nozuko Mjali rejected Makeleni’s attempt to blame drug use for his actions and questioned the sincerity of his remorse.

The court heard that the children had tested negative for HIV, although it remained unclear whether the tests had been conducted during the virus’s incubation period.

Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions Samkelo Mtwana welcomed the sentence, reaffirming the NPA’s commitment to pursuing justice for victims of sexual offences, particularly vulnerable children.