A Dobsonville woman Sindiswa Dlamini (32) has been sentenced to 12 years imprisonment for the murder of her two-year-old son Lee Dlamini.

DIED FOR FAMILIES? SINS

The NPA's Phindi Mjonondwane said upon investigation police discovered that the accused was distressed after a heated family argument.

"She sat in her car, crying and then her child entered the vehicle and began playing. Out of anger, the accused strangled the son to death," she said.

Mjonondwane said upon realising what she had done, Sindisiwe attempted to revive Lee but the child was already dead. "The accused then went to the police station to hand herself over and confessed to the crime. The accused was subsequently apprehended and pleaded guilty to the murder charge."

A DISTRAUGHT FATHER

Sindisiwe's guilty plea was not accepted by the prosecution. "She did not convey a true reflection of what happened, the trial proceeded and she was convicted. The state called the father of the deceased to testify in aggravation, and he testified to always been supportive of his son and, to this day, cannot understand why the accused would commit such a heinous crime against the child,"said Mjonondwane.

Senior State Advocate Monde Mbaqa further argued that the accused's actions were merciless, and in the interest of justice, she must be held accountable and punished.