FATHER FOUND GUILTY OF MURDERING 5-YEAR-OLD SON

The Johannesburg High Court has delivered a guilty verdict in the case against Ronald Ngobeni, who was accused of murdering his 5-year-old son, and obstructing the proper administration of justice.

In October 2022, Ngobeni (29) deceived his son's grandparents, promising to return the child after buying clothes, but instead, he brutally murdered the 5-year-old. 

The police launched an investigation after the grandparents reported the child missing.

NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane says Ngobeni fabricated a story about leaving the child with a vendor, but the vendor denied any involvement. 

The child's decomposed body was discovered in a shallow grave in October 2022, with a fatal head injury. 

Mjonondwane says Ngobeni's lies and attempts to cover his tracks were exposed through diligent investigations by the police.

Judge Karam, ruled that State Prosecutor Thamsanqa Mpekana proved beyond any reasonable doubt that Ngobeni committed the crimes.

"The verdict brings some closure to the family as well as the community at large, the NPA commends the police and the prosecutor for ensuring that justice is served for the innocent life lost," said Mjonondwane. 

She says the case will proceed with evidence in mitigation and aggravation of sentence on July 15, 2024. -#JoziFmNews