A man strangled his two-year-old son with a shoelace and watched him take his final breath.
This is one of the gruelling things the Madikwe Regional Court heard before sentencing 49-year-old Lucas Mmakgathi to 25 years behind bars after he was convicted of murdering his child.
The court heard how on May 4 2024, the accused requested permission from the child’s mother to spend time with the child in town. She agreed because she trusted his intentions.
“The accused carried out a calculated and deceptive plan by taking the child to a nearby bush instead, where he used his shoelace to strangle the child to death. He was arrested the following day,” said the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in a statement released on Monday.
During sentencing proceedings, State Prosecutor Zola Mpayipheli argued that the accused’s actions demonstrated extreme cruelty, hatred, barbarity, and a complete disregard for human life.
“The State emphasised that the accused had deprived the child of his most fundamental constitutional right, namely the right to life. In his guilty plea, the accused told the court that he became angry after the child’s mother informed him that he was not the biological father of the child. He claimed that feelings of hatred and anger prompted him to commit the offence,” stated the NPA.
The court also heard that the accused watched as the child took his final breath.
After his testimony, the accused was referred for mental evaluation, which found him fit to stand trial.
The State argues that the accused’s guilty plea should not be viewed as genuine remorse, but rather as an attempt to secure a lesser sentence.
The prosecution further reiterated the seriousness and prevalence of crimes committed against women and children, urging the court to impose a sentence that reflected the severity of the offence.
The court agreed with the State’s submissions and found that the accused posed a danger to society.
While sentencing, the court added that the accused should be removed from society for a considerable period.
Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, hailed the swift response of the South African Police Service and the efforts of the prosecutor and the court in ensuring that justice was served.
“This sentence reflects the seriousness with which our courts regard violent crimes against children. The successful prosecution of this matter demonstrates the commitment of the criminal justice system to protecting vulnerable members of society and ensuring accountability for those who commit such horrific acts.”
