Mother sentenced to 12 years for murder of newborn

A 21-year-old woman from Hluhluwe in northern KwaZulu-Natal has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for the murder of her newborn baby. The Mtubatuba Regional Court handed down the sentence after finding her guilty of killing the infant in August 2024.

NPA regional spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said although the charge carries a minimum life sentence, the court deviated from this, citing the woman’s young age and the fact that she has another minor child.

According to evidence presented in court, the woman had been pregnant at the time of the incident and had visited the outside pit toilet several times.

“At some stage, her mother noticed that she (the accused) was bleeding and asked her if she was ok. However, she dismissed her mother’s concerns. Her mother then arranged for her to be taken to hospital. While the accused was in hospital her family members heard noises coming from the pit toilet area, but they assumed that it was one of the pets outside. The hospital then contacted the accused’s family asking them to look around the house to establish where the accused had left the baby, as the baby was not at the hospital,” she said.

Family members broke open the pit toilet structure and found the newborn inside. A pathologist confirmed that the baby had been full-term and alive before being thrown into the pit.

Prosecutor Sphelele Precious Mdluli led the evidence of the accused’s mother and the police officers who attended the scene. NPA regional spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said the authority welcomed the sentence and hoped it would deter similar acts.