The Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg has handed down a 30-year prison sentence to Nonhlelelwa Matsebula, 34, after she pleaded guilty to the kidnapping and subsequent murder of 4-year-old Keeya Mbulawa.
On 13 January 2024, Matsebula, who was known to the family, lured the unsuspecting children playing in the yard and callously abducted Mbulawa with a sinister motive: to extort ransom money from her parents. Investigating officer Captain Isaac Khubeka uncovered a grim sequence of events that led to the little girl's tragic death. Matsebula administered juice laced with tablets to render Mbulawa unconscious, then brutally tied a cable around her neck and stuffed a sock in her mouth.
After placing the terrified child inside a suitcase, Matsebula attempted to flee the scene but was confronted by Mbulawa’s mother, leading her to abandon the suitcase. The police were alerted, but tragically, Mbulawa succumbed to suffocation complications on 17 January 2024. Matsebula's later arrest on 29 January came after her image was disseminated widely on social media, highlighting the community's desire for justice.
Advocate Colleen Ryan, who represented the prosecution, provided a poignant overview of the case, underscoring the psychological torment inflicted on Mbulawa's parents. “The accused had the full intention of extorting the deceased parents and cruelly allowed them to harbour hope by misleading them into believing their child was still alive when in fact she was already dead,” Ryan stated.
In sentencing, the court also stipulated that Matsebula must serve at least 20 years before being eligible for parole. Phindi Mjonondwane, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Gauteng Division, expressed relief at the verdict. “The NPA welcomes the sentence as it reflects the gravity of the senseless and tragic crime, ensuring that justice is served for the victim and the family while sending a strong message that such acts of violence will not be tolerated in society."
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