By Kaya 959 News
Dannyboy Fistos Khumalo has been given a double life sentence for the murders of his two sons.
NPA regional spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana, said Khumalo was also given three years for defeating the ends of justice.
“The court ordered the sentences to run concurrently. This follows his conviction for murdering his 11-year-old and 12-year-old sons by giving them poisoned water,” she said.
Mahanjana explained that Khumalo stayed with the two children and their mother, Sinah Nthabiseng Mosiea.
“The couple had relationship problems. Mosiea left the children with Khumalo in Vaalkop while she went to visit her parent’s home in Krugersdorp.
“On 14 May 2020, she received a voice message of her children crying and video footage of Khumalo mixing a liquid substance. He threatened Mosiea to return home otherwise he would kill the children,” she said.
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Gruesome discovery
The next day, the children were found dead in bed after Khumalo reported to the police and his employer that the children took rat poison thinking it was sweets.
On 18 May 2021, while Khumalo and his father had gone to identify the body of the children accompanied by the police, he confessed to killing the children.
The police arrested him on the spot and has been in custody since.
Mahanjana said owing to Mosiea’s inability to take the witness stand, the Court Preparation Officer, Amokelani Mashele, read out her Victim Impact Statement. Mosiea was further referred for grief counselling.
Advocate Dorah Ngobeni asked the court to impose the minimum prescribed sentence. She said it was unfortunate and very heartbreaking that innocent children became parents’ surrogates.
She opposed the application for leave to appeal brought by Khumalo in court and Acting Judge, Avvokoumides dismissed the application.
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Man sentenced for rape
In the KwaMhlanga Regional Court, Sipho Given Maphathoma was sentenced to life for the rape of a woman in 2017.
NPA spokesperson, Monica Nyuswa, said On 01 May 2017 during early hours of the morning, Maphathoma entered the victim’s house at Luthuli Section in KwaMhlanga. He found the woman breastfeeding her six-weeks-old baby and threatened to rape her two minor daughters who were asleep in the same room if she did not comply with his instructions. She tried to escape but Maphathoma caught up with her. He dragged her into her room, assaulted her and raped her twice.
Nyuswa said Maphathoma was later arrested after he broke-in at a school in Chief Luthuli Primary, where he stole a school jersey and groceries.
“He was then linked to the rape through DNA that was found at the scene. He pleaded guilty to the theft and claimed consent on the rape. The prosecutor, Bianca Harmse led the evidence of the victim which was supported by a medical report to disprove his version.
Harmse emphasised on the seriousness of the offence against women and children and that Maphathoma had to be removed from the society of KwaMhlanga permanently,” she said.
The court found no substantial or compelling circumstances to deviate from the prescribed sentence of life imprisonment for rape and another 12 months for theft. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
