KEY POINTS
- “Uncle Lee” Lindani Gcumisa received four life sentences for raping four boys (9-13 years) in Pietermaritzburg, using cash bribes to ensure silence.
- The case broke when a victim’s friends noticed physical evidence, leading to three additional victims being identified through police investigations.
- Authorities hailed the conviction as a victory against child sexual violence, while activists call for stronger community protection measures.
A Pietermaritzburg court has sentenced 46-year-old Lindani Gcumisa, known to his victims as Uncle Lee, to four life imprisonment terms for systematically raping four boys aged 9 to 13.
The Regional Court delivered the verdict to Uncle Lee on April 11 after establishing that Gcumisa lured the children to his Imbali home between February and March 2024, exploiting their trust as a community figure.
The case unraveled when a 12-year-old victim’s friends noticed suspicious fluids on his body after Gcumisa paid him R5 to stay silent. “Thorough police investigations revealed it was not the first time ‘Uncle Lee’ had raped him,” said Colonel Robert Netshiunda. Detectives later discovered three more victims – including the boy’s 9-year-old brother – all assaulted under similar circumstances.
Police hail conviction after the uncle lee case
KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi praised investigators for securing damning evidence, noting “sentences like this encourage police to work harder on rape cases.” The conviction comes as advocacy groups demand urgent reforms, citing South Africa’s 2023 crime statistics showing over 4,700 reported child rapes annually.
Child rights activist Nomfundo Mkhize told IOL: “Predators often target vulnerable children with small bribes – we need community education to break this cycle.”
IOL reports that the case has reignited debates about neighborhood watch programs and mandatory background checks for adults working with youth.
Gcumisa showed no remorse during sentencing. Prosecutors confirmed he faced additional charges for crimes uncovered during the investigation. Social workers are providing trauma counseling to the survivors, whose identities remain protected.
