Olievenhoutbosch mother sentenced to three life terms for killing son and two lovers

The Pretoria High Court has sentenced a 47-year-old Olievenhoutbosch woman to three life terms for the murder of her son and two lovers.

Pamela Ncumisa Selani was also handed five years of imprisonment for defeating the ends of justice, according to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana.

Mahanjana said in 2016, it was alleged that Selani had conspired with her “boyfriend” Gift to murder her “then-partner”, Micheal Changisa, after discovering he had infected her with a chronic disease.

Mahanjana said Gift and Selani lived in the same area, and one night he snuck into her house, which she shared with Changisa, and hid in the bathroom.

“After Changisa fell asleep, Gift snuck out of the bathroom and hit him to death with a hammer in the head in front of Selani’s two minor children,” she said.

Mahanjana said Gift and Selani proceeded to bury the deceased’s body in her backyard.

She said the couple moved in together after the incident at the same house that Selani had shared with the deceased.

A year later, Selani and her son, Avile Jonjwana (17), conspired to kill Gift, whom she accused of abusing her.

Mahanjana said the two poisoned Gift, drowned him then buried him in the same grave as Changisa.

“Jonjwana, who was addicted to drugs, started demanding money from his mother and threatened to report her to the police,” she said.

“He chased his mother and younger siblings out of the house one night, and they went to stay with Selani’s third boyfriend in the same area,” she said.

The following night, while Jonjwana was asleep, Selani and her other children returned to the house, and her minor son snuck into the house to open the door as she had instructed.

Mahanjana said Selani hit Jonjwana with a hammer repeatedly until he died and buried him also in the same grave in her yard.

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The murder secrets were revealed in August 2020 after Selani took her 14-year-old son to a traditional healer because he was not well.

“During the consultation with the traditional healer, the son told the healer about the murders,” she said.

Mahanjana said the healer then called a community leader under the pretence that he was calling another healer for assistance.

She said when the community leader arrived, the son narrated the story, and the community leader reported the matter to police.

“On the same day, Selani and her son were arrested when they returned home after consultation. The charges against the son were later withdrawn, and he became a state witness,” she added.

In court, Selani pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against her and denied committing the offences.

But after she was found guilty, she asked the court to deviate from imposing the prescribed minimum sentence because she was a first-time offender.

However, state prosecutor Advocate Eric Sihlangu told the court that Selani showed no remorse for her actions even after being convicted.

He said that Selani was convicted of serious offences that are prevalent in the country.

Sihlangu asked the court to impose a sentence that would send a message to the community and stop other citizens from committing similar offences.

“Handing down the sentence, Judge Masopa said he was of the view that Selani is an evil person who killed her two lovers and child,” said Mahanja.

“He said that it was by mercy that the 14-year-old was not killed,” she said.

The judge found no substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from imposing the prescribed minimum sentences.

Gauteng director of public prosecution, Advocate Sibongile Mzinyani, has applauded the work of the investigating officer, Sergeant Abednego Boloi, and the prosecutor that led to the conviction and sentencing of Selani for committing these gruesome acts.

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