Eastern Cape woman convicted of child’s murder after drowning six‑year‑old in river
The woman murdered the child because she believed the girl's mother was responsible for the death of her own nine-month-old baby.
In a dramatic courtroom verdict, a 23-year-old woman from the Eastern Cape has been found guilty of murdering a six-year-old girl by drowning her in a river. According to prosecutors, Noluvuyo Sinyikatha killed Likuwe Mpokopi because she believed the child's mother was responsible for the death of Sinyikatha's own infant, who had passed away a few days earlier.
The child's lifeless body was discovered floating in a shallow stream near her home, prompting community members to report Sinyikatha's suspicious behavior to the police. Despite Sinyikatha's later denials, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) presented compelling circumstantial evidence and her confession, which a court ruled as admissible, leading to the conviction.
The Director of Public Prosecutions in the Eastern Cape praised the dedication of the prosecutors and investigators in securing the guilty verdict. The sentencing hearing is set for September 18, 2026, where an appropriate penalty reflecting the severity of the crime will be determined.
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