Mother accused of murdering five-year-old son awaits verdict in Western Cape High Court

A mother accused of beating her five-year-old son to death is expected to learn her fate today in the Western Cape High Court, currently sitting at the Wynberg Regional Court.

Noxolo Pearl Ngqono faces charges of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and murder in connection with the death of her biological son, Luvela Ngqono, who was five years old at the time of his death on 28 October 2020.

According to the indictment, Luvela, born on 13 October 2015, lived with his mother and her husband at their home in Belhar Gardens, Belhar. The State alleges that signs of abuse first emerged on 26 April 2019, when the child was dropped off at daycare. After complaining that his mouth was sore, teachers reportedly noticed multiple injuries on his body. He was subsequently taken to Karl Bremer Hospital, where medical examination findings were said to be consistent with physical assault.

Following the incident, the child was removed from Ngqono’s care on 3 May 2019 in terms of the Children’s Act, before being returned to his parents on 4 September 2019.The State contends that on or about 26 April 2019, at their residence in Belhar, Ngqono unlawfully and intentionally assaulted her three-year-old child, inflicting blunt force trauma in a manner unknown. The charge falls under provisions of the Criminal Law Amendment Act, which prescribes minimum sentences for serious offences, including assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm against a child under 16.

In relation to the murder charge, the court heard that on 28 October 2020, the accused allegedly killed Luvela by repeatedly striking him with a stick or another object, causing fatal injuries.On the day of the incident, Bandile Dyonase left for work at around 06:15, leaving the child in Ngqono’s care. The court heard that the child was in good health at the time. At approximately 13:13, Dyonase returned home at Ngqono’s request and found the child lying unresponsive on a bed.

Authorities were later alerted, and members of the South African Police Service responded to the scene.The child was declared dead at approximately 19:18. A post-mortem examination later concluded that the cause of death was multiple blunt force injuries to the body.

The murder charge falls under Part II of Schedule 2 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act, meaning the court may impose a sentence of life imprisonment if Ngqono is found guilty. Judgment in the matter is expected to be delivered today.