Woman convicted for kidnapping, murdering Protea Glen girl (4) sentenced to 30 years
Nonhlelelwa Matsebula attempted to run away with little Keeya Mbulawa from the child's home in January 2024.
Picture: Pixabay.com
JOHANNESBURG - A woman convicted for kidnapping and murdering a 4-year-old child in Protea Glen has been sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Nonhlelelwa Matsebula attempted to run away with little Keeya Mbulawa from the child's home in January 2024.
Keeya's mother stopped Matsebula, who had drugged the little girl and put her in a suitcase.
Matsebula was sentenced in the Johannesburg High Court on Thursday.
She was arrested after her pictures were circulated on social media following her disappearance.
Mbulawa died in hospital after she was found in the suitcase with a stocking stuffed in her mouth and a cable tied around her neck.
Matsebula, who was a tenant in the Mbulawa home, kidnapped the child to claim ransom from her family.
“As the NPA [National Prosecuting Authority], we welcome the sentence, as it signals the seriousness of the criminal justice system in removing those that perpetuate the senseless killing of children for self-enriching, and we hope that the sentence will serve as a deterrent,” said NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane.
Mjonondwane said the ransom was never paid to the woman.