Nonhlelelwa Matsebula was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the kidnapping and murder of a four-year-old girl. Photo: Supplied
Image: Supplied
The South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg sentenced a 34-year-old woman for the kidnapping and murder of a four-year-old girl, Keeya Mbulawa in Soweto, Gauteng.
Nonhlelelwa Matsebula was sentenced on Wednesday. She was further ordered to serve 20 years of the imposed sentence before she could be considered for parole.
Matsebula, believed to be a Swati national, is reported to have stayed in the same yard with the child and her mother, Nolukhanyo (Khanyi) Mbulawa in Protea Glen, Soweto.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Gauteng spokesperson, Phindi Mjonondwane, said Matsebula pleaded guilty to the charges.
Nonhlelelwa Matsebula was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the kidnapping and murder of a four-year-old girl. Photo: Supplied
Image: Supplied
Mjonondwane said on January 13, 2024, Matsebula joined the children playing in the yard and intentionally kidnapped Mbulawa with the intent to extort money from her parents.
It is said Matsebula gave the little girl juice laced with tablets to make her fall asleep. She then tied a cable around her neck and placed a sock in her mouth. She placed her in a suitcase before attempting to leave the scene. However, she was confronted by Mbulawa's mother who was looking for her after minutes of not hearing her voice.
"Matsebula abandoned the suitcase and disappeared but was later arrested on January 29, 2024, after her photo was circulated on social media. The child died on January 17, 2024, due to complications from suffocation caused by the cable tie," said Mjonondwane.
Mjonondwane added that Matsebula admitted to the crime and acknowledged that her actions were wrongful and unlawful.
Keeya Mbulawa. Photo: Supplied
Image: Supplied
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