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KwaZulu-Natal Father Gets Life for Brutally Killing His Sleeping Son

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Family left traumatised as court hears heartbreaking details of June 2024 murder in Ezakheni

In a case that has shaken the Ezakheni community in KwaZulu-Natal, 35-year-old Ayanda Snothi Zwane has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his six-year-old son, a crime described in court as “unimaginably cruel” and traumatic for the entire family.

The Ezakheni Regional Court delivered its judgment this week, following testimony from the child’s grieving mother, crime scene experts, and the medical examiner who confirmed the child died from a fractured skull and severe brain injuries.

A Night That Ended in Tragedy

On the night of June 17, 2024, Zwane and the child’s mother became embroiled in a heated argument while their son slept inside the home. The situation escalated violently, after chasing the child’s mother from the property, Zwane carried the sleeping boy into the yard and smashed his head against a rock.

The child died on the scene.

Zwane was arrested shortly thereafter and has remained in custody since the incident.

‘Why Would a Father Do This?’, A Family in Grief

In court, Prosecutor Amelia Lieketseng Mphomane laid bare the emotional toll the crime has taken on the family, describing how the mother witnessed the horrific act and now struggles daily to understand how the man she once trusted could turn so violently against their child.

“The family is grappling to understand why he would commit such a heinous crime,” said Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, regional spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

Calling the crime “a senseless and deeply traumatic act,” Mphomane urged the court not to stray from the minimum prescribed sentence of life imprisonment, highlighting the brutality of the act and the impact on the mother and extended family.

The court agreed.

No Mercy for the Guilty

In addition to the life sentence, the court declared Zwane unfit to possess a firearm, signalling a strong stance against domestic and child-directed violence.

The NPA welcomed the outcome, with Ramkisson-Kara stating:

“We remain steadfast in our commitment to uphold the rule of law and pursue justice without fear or favour. We will safeguard the rights and dignity of all members of society, especially children and other vulnerable groups.”

She added that the conviction may bring some measure of closure to the heartbroken family.

A Community Reeling

The Ezakheni community has reacted with sorrow and outrage as news of the child’s murder spreads. Locals on social media have expressed deep sympathy for the mother and condemnation of Zwane’s actions, with many calling for stronger protections for children in volatile home environments.

Activists are now using the case to call attention to gaps in domestic violence prevention, urging government agencies to strengthen early warning systems and support services for families in crisis.

A Sobering Reminder

This case stands as a painful reminder of the dangers children face even within their own homes. While justice has now been served in court, the emotional scars left behind will take far longer to heal.

As South Africa continues its battle against gender-based violence and child abuse, this ruling sends a clear message: those who harm the most vulnerable will face the full weight of the law.

{Source: The Citizen}

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