Ronald Ngobeni, 31, was sentenced to life in prison by the High Court of South Africa in Johannesburg for the horrific act of murdering his 5-year-old son Rivoningo Capu. He also received an additional two-year sentence for delaying justice.
The sentences will be served consecutively, according to a statement made on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, by Phindi Mjonondwane, the Regional Spokesperson for the Gauteng Division of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Johannesburg.
Ngobeni has been detained by the police since October 10, 2022.
The 5-year-old was brutally murdered on October 7, 2022, despite Ngobeni’s deceitful promise to return the youngster after purchasing clothes, according to the police inquiry headed by Warrant Officer Koko.
The street vendor denied any involvement, but the accused made up a tale about leaving the infant with him. Later, the 5-year-old’s decaying body with a fatal head injury was found in a shallow grave.
Ngobeni apologised to the court and his son’s mother during his mitigation testimony and begged for a light sentence.
Senior State Advocate Thami Mpekana, however, was successful in demonstrating that Ngobeni’s crime was premeditated and that he was unable to offer a compelling defence.
The mother of the 5-year-old, Emihle Capu, also gave a victim impact statement to the state in which she detailed the terrible effects of her son’s passing on her own life.
She disclosed that her mother, the deceased’s grandmother, lost the child she was carrying as a result of the stress and trauma of the murder while she was eight months pregnant.
Judge Karam underlined during the verdict-giving process that people like as Ngobeni pose a threat to society and that the community needs to be protected, which is why a life sentence was appropriate.
“The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the life sentence handed down to Ronald Ngobeni, ensuring that justice has been served for the senseless murder of his innocent son,” Mjonondwane added.
