The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has welcomed the sentences handed down to a Soshanguve couple for the murder of their one-year-old child.
The incident happened on 15 May 2022 in Soshanguve, Pretoria North.
HOW DID THE PARENTS END UP IN JAIL FOR THE MURDER OF THEIR CHILD?
The NPA said on 15 May 2022, the couple was at Njobe’s place of residence, when they woke up that morning, they realised that their one-year-old daughter was not responsive.
They reportedly went to call their neighbours, when the neighbours arrived, they realised that the child was dead. They then called Njobe’s family, community members and the police. On arrival the police arrested the couple on the scene.
The NPA said Joseph Molwana, a 25-year-old undocumented Mozambican national, was sentenced to life imprisonment for the premeditated murder of his 1-year-old daughter, Sphesihle Nonhlanhla Njobe. The mother, Zanele Njobe, who was a minor at the time of the offence, was sentenced to 15 years’ direct imprisonment for the same offence, in terms of the Child Justice Act.
Both parents were further sentenced to five years’ direct imprisonment for child abuse. In addition, Molwana received a two-year direct imprisonment sentence for being in the country illegally. The court ordered that all sentences for Molwana run concurrently with the life sentence. The court also declared both accused unfit to work with children and unfit to possess firearms.
COUPLE PLEADS NOT GUILTY
NPA spokesperson in Gauteng Lumka Mahanjana said in court, both accused pleaded not guilty, claiming they were unaware of what had happened to the child.
Mahanjana explained that the parents said the child had been crying the previous night, but they did not know what was wrong and eventually fell asleep. However, State Prosecutor Hanlie Du Preez led compelling evidence from a pathologist, which revealed that the child had been severely abused, with four broken ribs, bruises, and bite marks on her body.
“During sentencing proceedings, the defence argued for a deviation from the prescribed minimum sentences, citing Molwana’s status as a first-time offender who had been in custody for over two years, and Njobe’s status as a minor at the time, lacking parental guidance. However, prosecutor Du Preez asked the court to impose the prescribed sentence of life imprisonment because the couple deliberately committed serious offences of abuse towards their own child who was only a year old.
“Furthermore, Du Preez argued that the community was outraged by this offence and their hopes are on the courts to send a message with the imposed sentence. In delivering judgment, Magistrate Pieter Nel agreed with the prosecution, finding that the couple showed no remorse and that the child had suffered prolonged abuse. He stressed the need to protect society from such individuals,” she explained.
WHAT DO YOU THINK PROPELS PARENTS TO MURDER THEIR CHILD/REN?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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