MTHATHA – A 23-year-old Eastern Cape woman has been convicted for the premeditated murder of six-year-old Likuwe Mpokopi, who was drowned in a river at Ngcanasini near Mqanduli on 28 August 2024.

Noluvuyo Sinyikatha was found guilty by the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court in Mthatha following a case built on compelling circumstantial evidence and a confession she later sought to repudiate.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Sinyikatha believed Likuwe’s mother was responsible for the death of her own nine-month-old baby, who had died after an illness a few days earlier.

Child drowned in Mqanduli river

Sinyikatha was the girlfriend of Likuwe’s uncle, who was also the father of her nine-month-old baby. The two families had been living together at the Mpokopi homestead before the baby died.

According to the NPA, women collecting firewood found Likuwe’s body floating in the river.

Community members gathered at the scene, but it was not immediately clear how the six-year-old had drowned in the shallow stream.

Two days later, a community member told police she had seen Sinyikatha walking towards the river with Likuwe shortly before midday on the day she was killed.

Witness evidence leads to murder conviction

Following her arrest, Sinyikatha confessed to killing the child. She said she believed Likuwe’s mother had been responsible for her baby’s death.

During the trial, Sinyikatha challenged the admissibility of her confession, resulting in a trial-within-a-trial.

The court ultimately ruled that the confession was admissible.

State Advocate Siphokazi Maarman presented evidence from several witnesses, including a community member who had seen Sinyikatha leave the homestead with Likuwe.

Another witness told the court she had seen a woman matching Sinyikatha’s description dragging a young girl towards the river.

There were no eyewitnesses to the actual drowning. However, the court found that the State had proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Samkelo Mtwana commended Maarman and the investigating officer for their dedication and professionalism in securing the conviction.

Sinyikatha will return to court on 18 September for sentencing proceedings.

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