A 35-year-old woman has been handed an 18-year prison term after being convicted of murdering her three-month-old daughter in a case that shocked the North West community.
Lerato Valencia Pokonyane, a citizen of Lesotho, was sentenced by the Stilfontein Regional Court following a thorough judicial process. Beyond the custodial sentence, the court ruled that Pokonyane is unfit to possess a firearm and declared her unsuitable to work with children under Section 120 of the Children’s Act.
The tragic case began on the morning of Thursday, 13 January 2022, when the body of the infant girl was found beside the N12 Road connecting Stilfontein and Potchefstroom. Authorities responded to reports of a lifeless baby at the roadside location. Upon arrival, officers discovered the child with her hands and feet bound together using plastic, and her face covered with material similar to a bandage. Nearby, investigators recovered a plastic bag containing baby clothing and the infant’s hospital booklet. Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) attended the scene and officially pronounced the baby deceased.
The subsequent investigation was spearheaded by Detective Warrant Officer Tebogo Lawrence Tlhakanye of the Stilfontein Detectives. Through diligent police work, investigators traced the suspect to Kuruman. Pokonyane was later apprehended at the Ficksburg Border Post while reportedly attempting to leave the country.
All evidence was presented before the Stilfontein Regional Court, which ultimately convicted Pokonyane of murder and imposed the 18-year sentence. She will serve her term in a South African correctional facility.
