KwaZulu-Natal's child sexual assault crisis: Over 3,000 cases reported

A distressing revelation that highlights a growing crisis was brought to fore by the Department of Health in KwaZulu-Natal with its report that over 3,000 cases of sexual assault involving children under the age of 12 occurred between January and September 2025.

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

The findings revealed a trend of rising sexual violence incidents against children, with the eThekwini, King Cetshwayo, and uMgungundlovu districts registering the highest numbers of reported cases.

According to the presentation, across the 10 districts and one metro that were sampled, 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. 

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

Childline KZN director Adeshini Naicker made know her thoughts on the statistics.

“These statistics are deeply alarming, particularly as they involve children under 12. The high numbers in eThekwini, King Cetshwayo, and uMgungundlovu reflect serious risks for young children and show that many are being harmed by people they know and trust. These cases are not just figures; each one represents a child who has suffered severe trauma and urgently needs protection,” Naicker said. 

She attributed eThekwini’s high statistics to its size and population, which meant that more cases reached hospitals and clinics, but social pressures also play a role. Additionally, overcrowding, poverty, substance abuse, and high levels of family stress contributed to greater vulnerability for children.

“The numbers may also be higher simply because more children can access health facilities and get recorded,” Naicker said. 

On why the Department of Health had reported the instances of sexual assault cases instead of the victims’ families, Naicker said many families do not report sexual assault because of fear, stigma, or pressure to “fix” the issue privately, especially when the perpetrator was known to them. 

She said that in many cases, the abuse only comes to light when the child needs medical attention, which is why health professionals end up making the report. 

With the festive season near, Naicker said it often led to an increase in sexual assaults on children. 

“Kids spend more time at home, often with less supervision, while adults consume more alcohol, and households become crowded. These conditions create more opportunities for abuse and reduce the safety net children rely on,” Naicker explained. 

To curb the scourge of sexual assault on children, Naicker said stronger community awareness, better support for families, and fast, consistent action from police and social services was needed. 

She said children must learn about body safety at an early age, and adults must take responsibility for reporting concerns. 

“Most importantly, perpetrators must be held accountable so children know that speaking up leads to protection, not silence,” Naicker said. 

KZN Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli said the statistics were a concern not only in eThekwini but the entire province. 

“Those stats to me are quite unfortunate. We need to ensure that all the sectors in the society, whether in rural, township and urban, even in the informal settlements and hostels, are aware, and then not only be aware but agree on the role to play to try and protect children,” he said.

thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za