Man strangled two-year-old with shoelace after discovering he was not the father
A 49-year-old man will spend 25 years behind bars for killing the boy after learning he was not the biological father.
Lucas Mmakgathi, a 49-year-old man, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for strangling a two-year-old boy to death. The incident occurred on May 4, 2024, after Mmakgathi discovered that the boy's mother, with whom he had previously agreed to take the child to town, claimed he was not the biological father. In the nearby bush, Mmakgathi used a shoelace to strangle the toddler, who took his last breath in Mmakgathi's hands.
During the trial, Mmakgathi admitted his guilt, citing the mother's assertion as his motive. Despite undergoing a mental evaluation, he was deemed fit to stand trial. The prosecution argued that Mmakgathi's actions demonstrated extreme cruelty and barbarity, violating the child's constitutional right to life. The court agreed, deeming Mmakgathi a danger to society and unfit to possess a firearm.
The court's decision to keep him from being paroled until the victim's family is consulted underscores the gravity with which the justice system views violent crimes against children.
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