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