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- The court sentenced Sipho Maseko to life in prison for killing his nephew in 2020.
- The NPA said Maseko killed the one-year-old for a "satanic ritual".
- Maseko handed himself over to the authorities after the crime.
A man who strangled and poured boiling water on his nephew in a "satanic, money-making ritual" at their Ekangala home, and then blamed the devil for his crime, was handed a life sentence by the Pretoria High Court.
Sipho Vincent Maseko, the young victim's uncle, killed the one-year-old on 30 September 2020 at their family home.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said the child was with his helper, whom Maseko managed to distract by asking her to buy airtime. While she was away, Maseko strangled his nephew and jumped on his chest before pouring boiling water on his face.
"When the helper returned from the shop, she found the lifeless body of the child tucked inside the bed, covered," said Mahanjana.
She said Maseko later handed himself over to the authorities after the nanny called the family and alerted the community.
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He has been in police custody ever since.
Mahanjana said that, although Maseko pleaded guilty to his crime, he refused to take responsibility, blaming his actions on the devil.
"In court, he pleaded guilty to the charge of premeditated murder... He said he killed his nephew as a form of satanic sacrifice to have money. And the day he killed the child, he was not himself, the devil took over," said Mahanjana.
"He also told the court that he had previously tried to kill his nephew two weeks before the incident by smothering him with his hand, but he survived because he cried. However, after the first attempt, the child sustained permanent damage, which resulted in him being disabled."
A victim impact statement read in court detailed the mother's battle with alcoholism, emotional trauma and a miscarriage, which was caused by the loss of her child.
Advocate Andre Wilsenach, arguing for the maximum sentence, told the court that Maseko did not show remorse and that he killed a child because of greed.
Judge Mashudu Munzhelele agreed and sentenced Maseko to life.
"Judge Munzhelele said she found no substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from imposing the prescribed minimum sentence and that she hoped the sentence would educate the public about the importance of protecting the most vulnerable," said Mahanjana.
The court ordered that the mother of the murdered child be informed should Maseko be eligible for parole so that she could make representations.
