Key Points:
- A Mozambican woman murder case resulted in a 30-year prison sentence.
- The court acknowledged the seriousness of the crime but opted for a 30-year sentence instead of life imprisonment.
- The woman was also sentenced for being in the country illegally and declared unfit to possess a firearm.
BENONI, South Africa (AP) — The Pretoria High Court, sitting in Benoni, sentenced a 38-year-old Mozambican woman to a 30-year prison term on Wednesday. She was convicted for the murder of three-year-old Melokuhle Ngwenya. This Mozambican woman murder case concluded in the Pretoria High Court.
Sentence Handed Down in Pretoria High Court
The Pretoria High Court, sitting in Benoni, handed down the sentence to Penina Felipe Sambo. Lumka Mahanjana is the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson. She stated that Sambo pleaded guilty to killing the child in Ratanda on April 3, 2024.
Details of the Crime
According to court records, Ngwenya went to Sambo’s home on that day. Reportedly, she intended to buy sweets. After the purchase, the young girl sat with Sambo on the couch.
“After a few minutes, Sambo began to strangle her to death,” Mahanjana said. “Thereafter, she threw her body into a recycle bin outside.” When the child did not return home, her mother went to the police station. She reported her daughter missing.
Mahanjana further explained that police went to Sambo’s place. The child was last seen there. After searching Sambo’s place, they found the child’s body in the bin. Police arrested Sambo on the scene. She has been in custody since then.
Motive Revealed in Guilty Plea
In her guilty plea, Sambo stated that she killed the child. Her motive was anger at the girl’s mother. The mother allegedly had an affair with Sambo’s boyfriend.
Arguments During Sentencing
During the sentencing hearing, Sambo requested the court to deviate from imposing the prescribed minimum sentence. She argued that she was a first-time offender. Furthermore, she stated that her guilty plea demonstrated remorse for her actions.
However, the prosecutor, Advocate Sipho Lalani, countered Sambo’s arguments. He pointed out that the court found Sambo guilty of serious offenses. These offenses are prevalent in the court’s jurisdiction. Moreover, he emphasized that the deceased was a minor at the time of her death. Her family was deeply aggrieved by her loss. Therefore, Lalani urged the court to impose a sentence. This sentence would send a strong message to society about the severity of such crimes.
Judge’s Rationale for the Sentence
Judge France Van Der Westhuizen delivered the sentence. He stated that he was satisfied with Sambo’s guilty plea. He acknowledged that the law prescribes a life imprisonment sentence for such serious crimes. Nevertheless, he believed that the 30-year sentence handed down was appropriate in this specific case.
Additional Sentences
In addition to the murder sentence, the court also sentenced Sambo for being in the country illegally. The court further declared her unfit to possess a firearm. This case has drawn significant attention. This is due to the young age of the victim and the disturbing circumstances surrounding her death. The sentence reflects the gravity of the crime. It also shows the court’s consideration of various factors presented during the proceedings.
