'I lost my temper': Life sentence for man who beat his 75-year-old mom to death in Daggakraal
Thami Sydney Mnyandu was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Amersfoort Regional Court for the murder of his 75-year-old mother, Ntobizodwa Masina.
Image: Phill Magakoe
A 43-year-old Mpumalanga man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of his elderly mother.
The Regional Court in Amersfoort handed down the sentence to Thami Sydney Mnyandu, following a thorough police investigation into the death of his 75-year-old mother, Ntobizodwa Masina.
According to police, the incident took place on July 25, 2024, at around 10.35 am in Sinqobile, near Daggakraal. Officers were called to a scene where an elderly woman had been severely assaulted.
“Upon arrival, officers found the victim lying unconscious in the yard with serious facial injuries,” said provincial police spokesperson, Captain Mpho Nonyane-Mpe.
Inside the house, police found Mnyandu, who confirmed that the injured woman was his mother. He allegedly told police that they had argued and that he lost his temper and assaulted her.
Masina was taken to hospital, where medical staff discovered additional injuries, including a wound under her left breast and a cut on her forehead.
Mnyandu was initially charged with assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. However, police later discovered that a protection order had been issued against him, barring him from assaulting, threatening, or insulting his mother.
Masina died a few days after being discharged from hospital as a result of the injuries she had sustained. The charge against Mnyandu was subsequently changed to murder.
Meanwhile, acting provincial commissioner of police in Mpumalanga, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, has commended the investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Mahlaba, for his diligent work, which led to the conviction.
He also expressed hope that the life sentence would bring some comfort to the victim’s family.
“The SAPS reiterates its zero tolerance for gender-based violence and crimes against vulnerable members of society,” Mkhwanazi said.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
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