‘No Remorse, No Mercy’: Young Father Gets Life for Slitting Three-Week-Old Son’s Throat

A 23-year-old man who murdered his three-week-old infant son has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the High Court in Mpumalanga.

Sibusiso Patrick Shongwe killed the baby boy in March 2023 in Driekoppies, within the Nkomazi District. The child died from sharp-force injuries to the neck.

The Background

The court heard that Shongwe was in a domestic relationship with the child’s mother, Noluthando Mlambo, but had denied paternity when informed of the pregnancy and previously indicated that he did not want the child.

On 1 March 2023, Shongwe contacted Mlambo and requested to meet her and the baby under the pretext of providing items for the child. They met on the street as arranged, accompanied by the child’s grandmother because of the late hour.

Shongwe instructed the grandmother to leave, saying he wanted to speak to Mlambo and see the baby.

The Attack

Moments later, three unknown men accosted Mlambo, enabling Shongwe to take the infant and flee. The matter was reported to police, and a search operation was launched.

Two days later, the baby’s body was found in nearby bushes. A post-mortem report confirmed that the infant died as a result of sharp-force injuries to the neck.

Shongwe was later arrested.

The Trial

During the trial, Shongwe admitted that he had met Mlambo and the baby on the day, but denied taking the child.

State advocate Senzo Zindela presented witness testimony and a confession statement. The deceased’s mother testified that Shongwe had urged her to terminate the pregnancy.

In aggravation of sentence, Zindela addressed the prevalence of domestic violence in South Africa and highlighted the vulnerability of the victim, submitting that Shongwe had shown no remorse and urging the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence.

A Victim Impact Report detailed the emotional trauma suffered by the family and the broader community.

The Sentence

In handing down judgment, the presiding judge remarked on the high levels of violent crime in the country, including domestic violence, and expressed concern about what was described as an erosion of respect for human life.

The court found no substantial and compelling circumstances to justify a lesser sentence and imposed life imprisonment.

Shongwe was also declared unfit to possess a firearm, and his application for leave to appeal was dismissed.

The NPA’s Response

NPA Mpumalanga regional spokesperson Monica Nyuswa said the authority welcomed the sentence and reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to combating domestic violence and crimes against vulnerable persons.

The Bottom Line

A three-week-old baby, killed by his own father. A young mother, left to grieve. A community, left to wonder how such evil could walk among them.

Life imprisonment is the sentence. But for the family, the hole will never be filled. And for Shongwe, the rest of his life behind bars is the price of his brutality.

{Source: IOL}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com