Eldorado Park father convicted of murdering his 4-year-old daughter
A 34-year-old man pleaded guilty in the Johannesburg High Court to murder, two counts of rape and child abuse. The court accepted his plea, and he is due to be sentenced on Friday.
The father also pleaded guilty to assault and resisting arrest. He admitted assaulting his three-year-old son on 13 March 2025 and a rape on 6 August 2025. He told the court he drowned his daughter in a bathtub.
The case was postponed to Friday for sentencing. The state also plans to apply for separation of the trials of the father and the mother.
The mother, 32, faces charges including murder and child abuse. She has pleaded not guilty and is set to go on trial. The state alleges she saw injuries on the girl but did not report them to the authorities.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Magaboke Mohlatlole said: "The mother's case is still ongoing, and the state will continue to pursue justice."
Key facts
- Who
- Magaboke Mohlatlole (National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson); National Prosecuting Authority (prosecuting authority)
- What
- The father pleaded guilty to murder, two counts of rape, child abuse, assault and resisting arrest, and the court accepted the plea. The case was postponed to Friday for sentencing and for the state to apply for separation of the trials. The mother, 32, faces charges including murder and child abuse and has pleaded not guilty.
- When
- 22 October 2026
- Where
- Eldorado Park, Johannesburg
- Status
- Reported