KEY POINTS
- An Ekurhuleni mother received a suspended sentence for killing her son and poisoning her daughter, with the judge citing remorse, mental health struggles, and her caregiving role as mitigating factors.
- The crime occurred after she lost money in a scam and faced overwhelming personal crises, leading her to poison her children before seeking help in Frankfort, where her son died.
- The ruling has sparked debate over justice for victims versus leniency for offenders with mental health challenges, as the surviving child remains in her care.
An Ekurhuleni mother who murdered her teenage son and attempted to kill her young daughter in a desperate act after losing money in a financial scam has been spared prison time.
The Pretoria High Court handed her an eight-year suspended sentence, sparking debate over justice, mental health, and parental responsibility.
The 40-year-old woman, whose identity remains protected to safeguard her surviving daughter, received a wholly suspended sentence for five years on the condition that she is not convicted of murder during that period.
The decision came after Acting Judge Van der Westhuizen ruled that “substantial and compelling circumstances” justified deviating from the prescribed life sentence.
Prosecutor Jeffrey Nethononda had argued for a harsher punishment, emphasizing the gravity of the crimes committed against her own children. “The court must consider the severity of the offence and send a strong message to society,” he stated. However, the judge weighed multiple factors, including the mother’s remorse, her role as the primary caregiver for her surviving child, and the emotional trauma she endured.
A tragic chain of events
Sowetanlive reports that the case dates back to June 6, 2022, when the woman poisoned her 16-year-old son and 7-year-old daughter after falling victim to a scam that left her unable to pay their school fees.
Compounding her distress, she had recently discovered she had contracted a serious illness. “She was not in her right state of mind,” explained Gauteng National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana.
After feeding them the tainted meal, the woman drove toward the Free State. In Frankfort, her children grew violently ill. She stopped at a petrol station, confessed to her actions, and sought help.
Emergency services rushed the siblings to Frankfort Hospital, where the boy tragically died.
The mother later admitted her guilt to doctors and police, leading to her arrest and subsequent release on bail.
During sentencing, the father of the children testified, revealing his conflicted emotions. “I have forgiven her, but the pain of losing my son will never leave me,” he told the court. Meanwhile, the defense highlighted the mother’s mental health struggles, including severe depression, and her current efforts to rebuild her life while caring for her surviving daughter.
The case has ignited discussions about the justice system’s approach to crimes involving mental health crises, with some questioning whether the sentence adequately reflects the loss of a young life.
