Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
A 43-year-old Zimbabwean woman has been found guilty of murdering her two young children by poisoning them in Parktown, Johannesburg.
The Johannesburg Magistrate Court found Lister Nkomo guilty of the charge, with sentencing in the matter being postponed to May 28 for a pre-sentence report.
The National Prosecuting Authority [NPA] of South Africa said in a statement that Nkomo was guilty on two counts of murder on Friday.
Nkomo killed her two-year-old daughter and seven-month-old son on 3 June 2023 at Empire Park.
According to the NPA, Nkomo called her sister on the day of the incident and informed her that she was in trouble and she intended to kill herself and the two children.
Her sister then alerted their father, who rushed to the park where he found both children motionless.
The NPA said paramedics were called and they declared the children dead at the scene.
They also found Nkomo unconscious after ingesting poison.
She was taken to hospital, treated, and survived.
After which she was later placed under police guard and suicide watch prior to being formally arrested.
The NPA said post-mortem examinations confirmed both children died from poisoning.
In court, a State forensic analyst testified that the substance used could cause death in humans.
“During trial, Nkomo elected not to testify. Acting Regional Court Prosecutor Terry Hlongwane led the State’s case. In delivering judgment, the magistrate said that with no explanation from the accused, the only reasonable inference was that Nkomo had administered the poison. The matter was postponed to 28 May 2026 for a pre-sentence report,” said the NPA.
“The NPA remains committed to ensuring justice and accountability for crimes committed against children and other vulnerable members of society.”
