JOHANNESBURG - A 43-year-old mother who poisoned her children, aged between two and seven months, has been sentenced to 30 years’ direct imprisonment.
Lister Nkomo’s sentence comes three years after she was convicted in 2023 on two counts of murder in the Johannesburg Regional Court.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority, evidence before the court revealed how Nkomo contacted her sister after the incident and disclosed her intention to take her own life alongside her children.
“Alarmed by the call, the sister immediately alerted their father, who rushed to the scene [a park in Empire Park, Parktown] and found the children unresponsive,” the NPA said.
Investigations found that the children were confirmed to have died after ingesting Terbufos, a highly toxic substance commonly found in certain pesticides and rat poison.
“Paramedics declared both children dead at the scene,” the NPA said.
According to the NPA, the court described the offences as serious, noting that Nkomo had taken the lives of her own children.
Additionally, the NPA said the court found no evidence of remorse.
In addition to the 30 years’ direct imprisonment, the court declared Nkomo unfit to possess a firearm and unsuitable to work with children in terms of the Children’s Act 38 of 2005.
The court further directed that her name be entered into the National Child Protection Register.