Father handed down life time imprisonment for gruesome murder of his son

The Bloemfontein High Court has sentenced a 25-year-old father to life in prison for the murder of his son on Tuesday, 22 March.

According to Mangaung police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Covani, the accused was 25 years of age and his son, only three. Furthermore, Gift Hendrick Stander murdered his son with the intension to hurt his ex-lover as he could not handle rejection.

On Friday, 15 October 2021, Stander went to his ex-girlfriend’s home to fetch their child for a visit. This came after the child’s mother broke up with Stander.

“The perpetrator then left with the child and went to his home at Bloemside, Phase 4,” added Covani.

On Sunday, 17 October 2021, the mother got worried that Stander had not brought back the child. She then asked her family members to accompany her to Gift’s home to fetch the child.

Upon arrival, the 20-year-old mother made a horrific discovery. She found out that her child’s father strangled the child to death, wrapped him in plastic and hid the lifeless body under the bed.

They called Bloemspruit to the scene and opened a murder case.

The police arrested the accused and Warrant Officer Moeketsi Solomon Mokgobo was assigned to the case. Even though there were no witnesses, the officer managed to get the confession in court from the accused.

The court then sentenced Gift Hendrick Stander to life imprisonment.