Zim Mother sentenced to 30 years for poisoning her two children

A Zimbabwean mother who poisoned her two young children before attempting to take her own life has been sentenced to an effective 30 years in prison.

Lister Nkomo, 43, was convicted on two counts of murder in the Johannesburg Regional Court following the deaths of her two-year-old daughter and seven-month-old son on 3 June 2023.

The court heard that Nkomo contacted her sister on the day of the incident and told her that she was in trouble at a park in Empire Park, Parktown.

She also disclosed that she intended to take her own life and those of her children.

Her alarmed sister immediately contacted their father, who rushed to the scene and found both children unresponsive.

Paramedics declared the children dead at the scene, while Nkomo was taken to hospital after being poisoned. She survived following medical treatment.

An investigation by Sergeant Mangokoana found that both children had been poisoned.

Post-mortem examinations and toxicology tests confirmed that the children had died after ingesting Terbufos, a highly toxic substance found in some pesticides and rat poisons.

Nkomo did not testify or present evidence in her defence after the State concluded its case.

She was subsequently convicted on both murder charges.

In sentencing Nkomo, the court described the offences as particularly serious, emphasising that she had taken the lives of her own children.

The court also found that she had shown no remorse and continued to deny responsibility for the children's deaths, including during the preparation of her pre-sentence report.

Acting Regional Court Prosecutor Terry Hlongwane argued that there were no substantial and compelling circumstances to justify departing from the prescribed minimum sentence for murder.

The State further argued that the vulnerability of the victims and the seriousness of the crimes warranted a lengthy custodial sentence.

The court agreed and sentenced Nkomo to 15 years' direct imprisonment on each count.

The sentences will run consecutively, resulting in an effective 30-year prison term.

Nkomo was also declared unfit to possess a firearm and unsuitable to work with children in terms of the Children's Act.

The court further ordered that her name be entered into the National Child Protection Register.

The National Prosecuting Authority welcomed the sentence, saying it reflected the seriousness with which the criminal justice system treats crimes against children.

The NPA said the case also underscored the principle that those who harm vulnerable members of society must be held accountable.

It said the protection of children and the successful prosecution of perpetrators of serious and violent crimes remained a priority.