The Madadeni Regional Court sentenced a 22-year-old woman to life imprisonment after she pleaded guilty to the murder of her one-year-old infant in Osizweni, KZN, in October last year, reports Rising Sun.

“On October 12, 2025, the infant was at home with her parents. At some point, the father left the mother alone with the child while they were playing. When the father later returned, he found the accused cuddling the infant but noticed the child was not moving. The infant remained motionless even when the accused changed her nappy,” says National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara.

When the accused indicated that she wanted to leave with the infant, the father insisted that she wake the child before leaving. The infant remained unresponsive, and the father realised that the child might be deceased. He ran to fetch a neighbour, who confirmed that the infant had passed away. An ambulance and the police were called to the scene, and the infant was declared dead by paramedics.

The accused was subsequently arrested. A post-mortem examination later revealed the cause of death to be asphyxiation.

“In court, the accused confessed to the murder, stating that she committed the offence following an argument she had with the infant’s father. In aggravation of sentence, the state submitted that the accused had other options available instead of resorting to murder. The accused could have handed the child over to social services or considered placing the child for adoption. The infant’s father testified on behalf of the state, stating that he remains traumatised by the incident and has lost trust in women as a result,” adds Ramkisson-Kara.

In addition to the life sentence, the accused was declared unfit to possess a firearm. The matter was prosecuted by state prosecutors, Marion Willis-Smith and Khethiwe Kunene.

“The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) remains steadfast in its commitment to uphold the rule of law and pursue justice without fear, favour, or prejudice. The NPA will continue to safeguard the rights and dignity of all members of society, particularly children and other vulnerable groups. Parents have a fundamental responsibility to protect their children,” Ramkisson-Kara concludes.

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