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Stepfather gets two life sentences for murder of Baby Nikita

Published

The Johannesburg High Court also gave the 34-year-old Eldorado Park man an effective eight and a half years' imprisonment. He pleaded guilty to raping and murdering the four-year-old, who was beaten and drowned in August last year.

Judge Peet Johnson imposed the sentences on Tuesday and dismissed the man's application for leave to appeal. The judge told him: "Persons like you, in the court's opinion, are a danger to society."

The man said drugs caused his actions. His defence argued that he was a first-time offender, had confessed and was remorseful. The State said life imprisonment was the right sentence and that his apology and personal circumstances did not justify a lighter one.

The court also heard that the man admitted assaulting his 3-year-old son, whom he shares with Baby Nikita's mother.

Baby Nikita's mother faces charges of child abuse and failing to report sexual offences. She has pleaded not guilty, and she intends to apply for bail in her separate case.

Key facts

Who
Peet Johnson (Judge who imposed the sentences in the Johannesburg High Court); Baby Nikita (four-year-old victim, stepdaughter of the accused); Baby Nikita's mother (faces charges of child abuse and failing to report sexual offences; has…); 34-year-old Eldorado Park man (stepfather, convicted and sentenced)
What
The Johannesburg High Court handed down two life sentences and an effective eight and a half years' imprisonment to a stepfather who pleaded guilty to raping and murdering four-year-old Baby Nikita, who was beaten and drowned in August last year. The court dismissed his application for leave to appeal the sentence.
When
27 October 2026
Where
Johannesburg, Eldorado Park
Status
Reported

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