MOTHER SENTENCED FOR MURDER OF NEWBORN 

07 DECEMBER 2025 

MOTHER SENTENCED FOR MURDER OF NEWBORN 

The Mtubatuba Regional Court has sentenced a 21-year-old woman to 12 years direct imprisonment following her conviction for the murder of her newborn baby. The incident took place in August 2024 in the Hluhluwe area. In sentencing the woman, the court deviated from the minimum sentence of life imprisonment, taking into consideration the age of the accused, and the fact that she has a minor child. 

The accused was pregnant and on the day of the incident she 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. The family broke down the pit toilet and found the baby inside. 

In court, Prosecutor Sphelele Precious Mdluli led the evidence of the accused’s mother, and the SAPS officials who had attended to the scene. The pathologist confirmed that the baby was full-term and had lived before being thrown into the toilet. The accused was convicted and sentenced accordingly. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) hopes that sentences of this nature will deter like-minded people. 

Issued by: 

Natasha Ramkisson-Kara 

NPA Regional Spokesperson

KZN Division