A South African woman has pleaded guilty to the kidnapping and murder of a five-year-old boy, reigniting fears for children’s safety and the devastating effects of violence towards children. Sibongile Happiness Ngwadla, 40, pleaded guilty in the Durban High Court to kidnapping and murdering Simphiwe Ntobeko Xaba in August 2025, which was part of an extortion attempt involving a demand for R60,000.
