Rise in child sexual assault cases in KZN

IN A distressing revelation that underscores a growing crisis, the Department of Health in KwaZulu-Natal reported over 3,000 cases of sexual assault involving children under the age of 12 between January and September 2025.

- THOBEKA NGEMA

Dr Sabelo Gwala, Deputy Director-General: Stakeholder Coordination in the Office of the Premier, presented these figures at the recent Provincial Council on AIDS meeting.

The findings reveal a trend of rising sexual violence against children, particularly in the eThekwini, King Cetshwayo, and uMgungundlovu districts, which registered the highest numbers of reported cases.

According to the presentation, across the 10 districts and one metro, 1,062 cases were reported between January and March, 954 between April and June and 1,027 between July and September.

Harry Gwala, King Cetshwayo and uMzinyathi districts saw an increase in sexual assault matters between April and June.

However, Amajuba, iLembe, King Cetshwayo, and uMgungundlovu registered decreases in sexual assault cases between July and September.

Additionally, eThekwini, Harry Gwala, Ugu, uMkhanyakude, uMzin-yathi, uThukela, and Zululand districts had increases in sexual assault cases between July and September.