Mozambican Stepmother Gets 23 Years For Poisoning 11-Year-Old Girl With Ice Cream

The Mpumalanga High Court in Mbombela has sentenced 37-year-old Mozambican national, Clara Masinga, to 23 years in prison for the premeditated murder of her 11-year-old stepdaughter, Jennifer Gumbi.

Masinga pleaded guilty to the brutal crime, which took place in March 2015 at KwaMhlushwa, Phosaville Section, near Malelane, and entered into a Section 105A plea and sentence agreement with the State.

Poisoned Ice Cream Plot

The court heard that Masinga, who was in a relationship with Jennifer’s father, Rodgers Gumbi, lured the young girl from home under the pretence that an acquaintance wanted to buy her clothes.

Once the child was in her company, Masinga went to a tuck shop and purchased ice cream and rat poison. She then crushed the poison and mixed it into the ice cream before handing it to Jennifer.

After consuming it, the girl collapsed and died. Her lifeless body was discovered in a shallow ditch near the Mlumati River. A subsequent police investigation led to Masinga’s arrest and confession.

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In her plea statement, Masinga admitted that she killed her stepdaughter to spite the child’s biological mother, acting out of jealousy and resentment.

Judge Condemns Mozambican’s Stepmother’s Heinous Act

During sentencing, State Advocate Senzo Zindela told the court that Masinga had acted with chilling cruelty, not only poisoning the child but also pouring boiling water over her body to ensure her plan succeeded.

Judge Vukeya described the murder as “heartless and senseless,” condemning the rising trend of domestic violence and child killings in South Africa.

“The accused killed an innocent child out of animosity towards the mother. No sentence can ever restore the lost life,” the Judge said.

However, the court found compelling circumstances to deviate from the minimum prescribed sentence, imposing 23 years’ direct imprisonment instead of life.

Masinga was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

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