A 36-year-old mother has been sentenced to eight years in prison for the persistent neglect and abuse of her four-month-old infant. This follows her appearance at the Madadeni Regional Court, where she pleaded guilty under Section 112 of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977 to a series of offences committed in Osizweni, between March and August 2025.
In the wake of the sentencing, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara described the harrowing circumstances of the case.
She noted that throughout the five months, the mother repeatedly left her home for extended periods without informing family members of her whereabouts.
During these absences, the infant was left in the care of her grandmother, who struggled to meet the demands of looking after such a young child.
“Upon her return, the accused’s mother would reprimand her, expressing concern that the infant needed to be breastfed. However, the accused ignored these concerns and continued to disappear from home for days and sometimes weeks at a time,” stated Ramkisson-Kara.
The grandmother eventually sought police intervention after the accused failed to return following a prolonged absence, leading to the mother’s arrest and subsequent criminal proceedings.
In court, the prosecution emphasised the profound breach of parental responsibility and the violation of the child’s constitutional rights.
“In aggravation of sentence, Prosecutor Simphiwe Scelo Hlela submitted that the accused, like all parents, had a legal and moral duty to care for her child. He further emphasised that courts have an obligation to uphold and protect the rights of children, which are safeguarded by the Constitution and recognised as being of paramount importance,” explained Ramkisson-Kara.
Considering these submissions, the court concluded that the severity and repeated nature of the mother’s conduct warranted eight years’ direct imprisonment.
“The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) hopes that a sentence of this nature demonstrates the seriousness with which the courts view crimes against children. Children are among the most vulnerable members of our society and must be protected by everyone, particularly their parents and caregivers,” Ramkisson-Kara added.
The ruling sends a clear message about the seriousness with which the courts view crimes involving the neglect of children.
By repeatedly abandoning her infant and ignoring repeated concerns raised by family members, the mother failed in her most basic legal and parental responsibilities. The eight-year custodial sentence reflects the gravity of the offence and reinforces the judiciary’s position that the protection and wellbeing of children remain paramount under South African law.
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