Stepdaughter’s Killer Sentenced to 23 Years

A Mozambican woman, Clara Masinga (37), has been sentenced to 23 years’ direct imprisonment by the High Court sitting in Mbombela for the premeditated murder of her 11-year-old stepdaughter, Jennifer Gumbi.

Masinga, who lived with Jennifer’s father, Rodgers Gumbi, in KwaMhlushwa, Phosaville Section near Malelane, pleaded guilty and entered into a Section 105A plea and sentence agreement with the State.

The tragic incident took place on 21 March 2015. Masinga sent a friend of the child to fetch her, then lured Jennifer to her house under the false pretence that someone wanted to buy her clothes. She then bought ice cream and rat poison (Rattex) from a nearby tuck shop. Together with an accomplice, she crushed the poison into the ice cream and gave it to the child.

Jennifer later died from the poisoning, and her body was found dumped in a shallow ditch near the Mlumati River. During court proceedings, Masinga admitted she killed the child to spite Jennifer’s biological mother.

State Advocate Senzo Zindela argued for a harsh sentence, highlighting the cruel manner in which the child was killed and the further desecration of the body with boiled water to ensure the murder succeeded.

Judge Vukeya strongly condemned the rise in domestic violence and the killing of children in South Africa, stating that while no sentence could ever bring Jennifer back, justice had to be served. The court found compelling reasons to deviate from the minimum sentence and handed down 23 years’ imprisonment. Masinga has also been declared unfit to own a firearm.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomed the sentence and praised the law enforcement teams involved. The NPA reaffirmed its commitment to fighting domestic and gender-based violence, stating that “the value of human life is immeasurable.”