An Inanda man who kidnapped and murdered his girlfriend’s 16-month-old toddler after she broke up with him in April 2019, was sentenced to life imprisonment by Durban High Court Judge, Thuthu Mlaba, last week.
Thembelani ‘Eric’ Mtengwana was sentenced to a further 10 years’ imprisonment for kidnapping. Judge Mlaba described Mtengwane as a cold-blooded person who didn’t care about other people’s right to life. She said nothing justified killing a toddler in such a brutal manner. “The injuries sustained by 16-month-old Sibonga demonstrates a cold-blooded person who is not fit to be in society. You not only kidnapped him, but severely assaulted him before you ended his life. He was an innocent child who was not dangerous to you and had no power to defend himself. He had his whole life ahead of him and you denied him that right – the right to life,” said Judge Mlaba.
Judge Mlaba continued: “You have displayed no remorse or regret for your conduct. When your mother testified in court, you disowned her in open court. Our society lives in fear of people of your calibre. By removing you from society, the interest of the public will be served. A clear message has to be sent out to would-be offenders, that the courts will not sit back and watch people like you take away innocent lives as you did to that of Sibonga.” The tiny body of Sibonga was found in a decomposed state in a bush a few days after he was kidnapped. He had sustained a fractured skull and lacerations on the face. In April 2019, Mtengwana went to his then girlfriend’s home where he stood at the door and looked at her for a while without uttering a word and left. Later that evening, he came back and kidnapped the toddler who was at home with his older brother, Thandolwethu, while the mother, Naledi Mlanji, 24, was out with friends. Mtengwana also attempted to kidnap Thandolwethu but was unsuccessful when the child refused to leave with him.
Speaking to The Phoenix Tabloid after the sentence had been handed down at Durban High Court, the mother, Naledi, who could not hold her tears back, said she still thinks about her son every single day. “My heart breaks when I think about the day I had to go and identify my baby. I couldn’t eat for days after seeing my son in that condition. It’s something I do not wish for any parent to go through. I still have sleepless nights, my little baby did not deserve what he went through at the hands of this heartless man. I wish he had taken my life instead,” said the emotional mother. She said she was happy with the sentence that was imposed on Mtengwana. “With him being in jail, I know that women and children from the community are safe.” Sibonga’s father, Mxolisi Nodangala, 28, said he blamed himself for not being there to protect the toddler. However, said that he was pleased with the sentencing. “He didn’t deserve anything less than life imprisonment for doing what he did to my son.”
He added that Inanda police were giving them the run around when they sought help and thanked Phoenix SAPS for taking on the case, ensuring that the suspect was brought to book and sentenced to life in prison. The investigating officer from Phoenix SAPS who opposed Mtengwane’s bail, Captain Kippie Pillay, said there was a lot of pressure on him from the public. “It was a difficult case that involved a lot of hard work and perseverance. The public wanted the killer behind bars following the discovery of Sibonga’s decomposed body in a bush near Loft Manor in Phoenix.” Capt Pillay said he was happy with the sentence. “I’m happy with the sentence handed down to Mtengwane by the high court. All my witnesses were exceptional and testified truthfully and honestly in court. My main witness was my little hero, Thandolwethu (Sibonga’s older brother) – his evidence was the final nail in the coffin. He impressed the court and brought joy and emotion to both the court and myself. I’m glad that the family has found closure in this case,” added Capt Pillay.
