The Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court has found 43-year-old Zimbabwean national Lister Nkomo guilty of murdering her two-year-old daughter and seven-month-old son.

She faced two counts of murder following the deaths of her children at Empire Park in Parktown on 03 June 2023.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Nkomo contacted her sister on the day of the incident and said she was in trouble and planned to kill herself and her children.

Her sister alerted the children’s father, who rushed to the park.

Children found unresponsive

When the father arrived, he found both children lying motionless.

NPA spokesperson Magaboke Mohlatlola said paramedics declared them dead at the scene.

Authorities found Nkomo unconscious at the same location after she ingested poison. Medical teams took her to the hospital, where she received treatment and survived.

Police then placed her under guard and on suicide watch before formally arresting her.

Post-mortem examinations confirmed that both children died from poisoning.

A state forensic analyst testified that the substance used was capable of causing death in humans.

State proves case beyond reasonable doubt

Acting Regional Court Prosecutor Terry Hlongwane led the State’s case and proved Nkomo’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The accused chose not to testify during the trial.

In delivering judgment, the presiding magistrate ruled that, without any explanation from Nkomo, the only reasonable inference was that she administered the poison to her children.

The court postponed the matter to 28 May 2026 for the submission of a pre-sentence report.

The NPA said it remains committed to ensuring justice and accountability for crimes against children and other vulnerable groups.