Durban - A Ballito mother is expected to appear in court for possible plea negotiations after allegedly drowning her toddler in a bucket full of water because she was “difficult and troubling her”.
National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said: “The matter was postponed to May 12 for possible plea negotiations.”
The mother had appeared in the KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court last Thursday for a bail investigation.
In her first appearance a week prior, the woman looked confused as she entered the dock. She stood still, always nodding, indicating that she understood what magistrate Blanche van Eeden was saying.
There were no family members or relatives, only the woman’s attorney, Alistair Janssens, in court.
He objected to the media filming or photographing the woman to protect her surviving 10-year-old child. The defence said the other child lived with his biological father.
The paper learnt that the father of the dead child is working in the US.
State prosecutor Paul Nel asked for a postponement, saying the State would want a DNA test to be conducted.
The accused was not asked to plead.
The magistrate indicated that the case might be moved to the high court.
The mother was arrested after Umhlali police received a report that a four-year-old toddler died at a home in Ballito.
Thenjiswa Ngcobo, KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson, said police then went to the said address.
“Upon arrival, the police met the mother of the child who allegedly stated that her child was difficult and troubling her and she decided to drown the child in a bucket full of water until she stopped moving,” Ngcobo said.
She said both the child’s hands were tied with tape.
“The little girl was certified dead at the scene.”
Ngcobo said a case of murder was opened for investigation by Umhlali SAPS.
“The 45-year-old woman was placed under arrest and was charged with murder.”
Daily News