A 43 year old Zimbabwean national has been convicted in the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court for the murder of her two young children after poisoning them in a Johannesburg park nearly three years ago.
Lister Nkomo was found guilty on two counts of murder for the deaths of her two year old daughter and seven month old son. The children died on June 3, 2023, at Empire Park in Parktown after ingesting poison allegedly administered by their mother.
According to evidence presented in court, Nkomo contacted her sister on the day of the incident and indicated that she was in trouble and intended to take her own life together with her children. Concerned by the call, the sister alerted their father, who rushed to the park.
Upon arrival, he discovered the two children unresponsive. Emergency medical personnel later declared both children dead at the scene. Nkomo was also found unconscious nearby after allegedly consuming poison herself.
She was transported to hospital for medical treatment and survived. After recovering, she was placed under police guard and suicide watch before being formally arrested.
Post mortem examinations confirmed that both children died from poisoning. During the trial, a State Forensic Analyst testified that the substance involved was capable of causing death in humans.
Acting Regional Court Prosecutor Terry Hlongwane led the State’s case. The court heard that Nkomo chose not to testify during the proceedings.
In delivering judgment, the presiding magistrate said that, in the absence of any explanation from the accused, the only reasonable inference was that she had administered the poison to her children.
The case was postponed to May 28, 2026, for the submission of a pre-sentence report ahead of sentencing proceedings.
“The NPA remains committed to ensuring justice and accountability for crimes committed against children and other vulnerable members of society,” said NPA Gauteng Division communications officer Magaboke Mohlatlole.