The High Court's Northern Cape Division has sentenced Henry Manolo, a 31-year-old Malawian national, to 10 years in prison for culpable homicide following the tragic death of his three-month-old baby, Henzo.
Manolo was also convicted for assaulting the child's mother and for contravening immigration laws, marking a severe judgment of his reckless behaviour that led to the devastating loss of innocent life.
The incident unfolded on 26 March 2023, in Boegeberg, near Groblershoop, when both Manolo and the baby's mother left her grandmother's house while under the influence of alcohol. A domestic dispute quickly escalated, with Manolo becoming aggressive, pushing and pulling the mother, ultimately causing her to fall with Henzo still strapped to her back. He forcibly removed the infant from her, resulting in the baby falling onto the tarred road. Manolo fled the scene, taking Henzo with him.
The mother, distraught and frantic, searched for her son before returning to her grandparents' home. It was only the next morning that she reported the incident to the police. Tragically, during her absence, Manolo returned and placed Henzo's lifeless body on a couch, leaving the family to discover the horrific aftermath of his assault. He was apprehended shortly after when he attempted to hitch a ride to Kimberley.
The trial revealed a history of violence and domestic abuse, with testimony from family members, including the great-grandparents, shedding light on the troubled dynamics of Manolo and the victim's relationship. The mother's poignant victim impact statement, read in court, detailed her ongoing struggle with the grief of losing her child, confiding that she had not even been able to wash Henzo's clothes since his passing.
Manolo defended himself by insisting the child fell from his hands while he was trying to take him from his intoxicated mother. He claimed that he fled not from guilt, but from fear for his own safety, believing the family harboured intentions to harm him.
State Advocate Elmari Kruger vigorously contested Manolo's version of events, arguing that his actions reflected a conscious disregard for the well-being of his child. In her closing remarks, she emphasised that any father would naturally seek urgent medical assistance for an injured child rather than abandoning them. The court ultimately sided with the State, highlighting that while there was no intent to kill, Manolo's negligence was grossly evident.
The court found him guilty on three counts: assault, for which he received a six-month prison sentence; culpable homicide, receiving a 10-year sentence; and contravening the Immigration Act, resulting in an additional 12 months. Notably, all sentences are to run concurrently. Additionally, Manolo was declared unfit to possess a firearm, further solidifying the court's commitment to public safety in the aftermath of this tragic case.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has reiterated its unwavering commitment to justice for crime victims, emphasising the necessity of upholding the rule of law to protect communities from violence and abuse.
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