The family of murdered Daveyton toddler Langelihle Mnguni (21 months) could not hold back their tears when the nanny responsible for killing him, Manana Celinah Tsabane, was found guilty of murder.
She was sentenced to prison on November 23.
The 39-year-old was sentenced to 25 years for murder and five years for defeating the ends of justice in a sitting of the Pretoria High Court at the Benoni Magistrate’s Court.
The sentences will run concurrently.
Langelihle was found dead in an outside storeroom at the family home in Daveyton on October 18, 2019. The toddler had a bandage around his neck. A post-mortem revealed he had been suffocated and strangled.
Tsabane was found half-naked inside the house by the toddler’s mom, Lerato, and her aunt, Miriam Mnguni, when they returned from work.
Miriam found Langelihle’s lifeless body in the storeroom. Paramedics declared him dead on scene.
According to Lerato’s and Miriam’s testimonies, when they found Tsabane in the house she was praying, saying “God what is it that I have done?”.
The nanny was arrested on October 21, last year.
A total of 14 witnesses took to the stand during her trial.
Tsabane claimed the neighbour and two other men forced her to drink poison then the neighbour fled with Langelihle.
Judge Herman Broodryk said he found Tsabane’s evidence and version of how she was attacked by three men, including the neighbour, who allegedly poisoned her, as laughable and improbable.
“Her story was vague and she contradicted herself. It is highly improbable that the robbers knew where to find the alleged poison and bandages,” said Broodryk.
He added there was nothing that proved the murder was premeditated.
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“She (Tsabane) had a manipulative nature. She tried to draw sympathy from the court when she complained of neck pain and tiredness.
“Her evidence was a pack of lies and was inconsistent – her version could not possibly be true.
“It was only her who killed the toddler. The reason why she did not call for help, I find ridiculous,” he said.
“I find it highly improbable that she would have drank all of the poisonous concoction and there is no evidence of the jug that was allegedly used.”
The judge said his finding is that the neighbour was not there during the incident and the accused had lied about being attacked and about the child being kidnapped.
According to blood tests submitted in evidence, there was no poison in Tsabane’s system and her injuries were merely superficial.
The neighbour was thus cleared of any involvement in the toddler’s death.
The toddler’s mother testified how this incident has hurt her and her family.
“Langelihle was my only child and I have no siblings,” she said tearfully.
“My family is torn apart because my son was the first grandchild for the Mnguni family.
“We have accepted Langelihle’s death but I hope one day God will give Tsabane strength to tell me why she did this.”
Tsabane asked her lawyer, Tebogo Mayimela, to tell Lerato and the court she was remorseful and sorry; however, Lerato said she wasn’t going to accept her apology.
Mayimela pleaded with the court to be merciful and not hand down the sentence in anger.
He said Tsabane has two children and if she stayed in custody, her children would suffer.
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Lerato disputed these claims and said Tsabane’s sister is a teacher who will be able to pay the children’s school fees.
She also questioned how Tsabane was able to hire a private lawyer.
However, the state prosecutor, Salome Scheepers, said Tsabane showed no remorse or any sign of regret and blamed the neighbour for her actions.
“The killing of children is unacceptable – vulnerable children, women and the elderly are constantly living in fear,” said Scheepers.
“The community at large urges the court to hand down appropriate sentences, especially where children are involved.”
Langelihle’s father, Sihle Tshabalala, said he was hoping for a life sentence but as they couldn’t prove it was premeditated he is happy with the 25 years.
“The support we have received has been overwhelming, especially from members of the EFF and the community of Daveyton. They stood with us and we are grateful. Without them we wouldn’t have made it this far,” he told the City Times after the sentencing.
