A South African father has been sentenced to 25 years imprisonment for the m8rder of his two-year-old son.

Lucas Kgosi Mmakgathi, 49, was sentenced by the Madikwe Regional Court on Friday, 14 August 2026.

He k!lled his son at Siga Village on Saturday, 4 May 2024.

The court heard evidence that Mmakgathi had asked the child’s mother for permission to take the two-year-old to Rustenburg to buy him toys. 

After being entrusted with the child, he instead took him to a nearby bush, where he used a shoelace to strangle the child to d8ath.

It emerged that Mmakgathi and the child’s mother argued shortly before the incident.

Mmakgathi had been in custody since May 2024 after being denied bail. 

The State further argued that the accused’s guilty plea should not be regarded as a mitigating factor due to the seriousness of the offense. 

The court agreed with the State’s submissions and sentenced Mmakgathi to 25 years’ direct imprisonment.

He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm and may not be released on parole without the permission of the deceased’s family members.

The South Africa Police Service North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Arthur Adams, in a statement on Sunday welcomed the 25-year direct imprisonment sentence.

Adams commended the investigating officers, Detective Constable Noncedo Sovag from Madikwe SAPS and Detective Sergeant Luckboy Lucas Zuma from the North West Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes Unit, for their diligent investigation and the prosecution for ensuring that the matter was successfully brought to court.

He noted that it sends a strong message that violence against children will not be tolerated. 

“The sentence also provides a measure of justice to the bereaved family and reinforces the SAPS’ commitment to protecting vulnerable children,” the statement read 

“The SAPS remains committed to protecting children and ensuring that perpetrators of violence against vulnerable members of society are held accountable.”