A Gauteng mother was sentenced for the murder of her son in the Johannesburg High Court.
Sindswa Dhlamini, 32, from Dobsonville, was convicted for the murder of her two-year-old son, Lee.
The investigation found that Dhlamini was distressed after a heated family argument. She sat in her car crying, and then her child entered the vehicle and began playing. Out of anger, she strangled her son to death.
After realising what she had done, the mother attempted to revive the boy but he had already died.
She went to the police station and handed herself over and confessed to the crime.
Dhlamini was arrested and pleaded guilty to the murder charge. However, her plea of guilt was not accepted by the prosecution as she did not convey the true reflection of what happened; the trial proceeded and she was convicted.
The State called the father of the boy to testify in aggravation, and he testified to always being supportive of his son and could not understand why the Dhlamini would commit such a heinous crime against the child.
Senior State Advocate Monde Mbaqa further argued that Dhlamini’s actions were merciless, and in the interest of justice, she must be held accountable and punished.
The court ruled that there was substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence, noting that Dhlamini promptly reported the incident to the police.
Dhlamini was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment.
The provincial spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Phindi Mjonondwane said it remains committed to advocating for the vulnerable and ensuring that perpetrators of such crimes are brought to justice.