A tale of brutal and senseless murder of 16 month old Bame Aron at the hands of his biological father, 10 years ago ended this week with Mpho Sefhemo being sentenced to 15 years behind bars.
Francistown High Court Judge Tshegofatso Mogomotsi noted the death of the baby was” under the most unfortunate of circumstances at the hands of someone who should have been his protector and father figure.”
“On aggravation and the serious nature of the offence the accused committed, the age of the victim who was but only a defenseless baby, who was neither a threat to the accused and had not done anything to him to deserve the magnitude of his wrath, which brought his short life to an abrupt end.”
Sefhemo’s plea of guilty and claim of suffering from mild episodes of depression were not enough to trigger the court’s mercy or to save him from a lengthy stay in prison. “The accused showed contrition for his actions, however on hindsight,” highlighted Justice Mogomotsi. A rage of anger which cut the toddler’s life abruptly.
The convict herdboy from Mahalapye is said to have, on that fateful day in 2014 picked the crying son and thrown him face down to the ground. The toddler’s piercing cries failed to trigger regret or mercy from his father.
“Dissatisfied with the amount of pain he had already caused, he followed the baby inside the house.” Sefhemo followed into the house, where the crying baby and terrified mother had sought refuge, snatched the sobbing baby from the mother’s arms and began to rain kicks on the little baby’s body.
“He continued his attack on the baby by kicking him on the stomach, head, and chest with boots he was wearing. The impact of the kicks sent the baby rolling on the floor,” highlighted Mogomotsi as she read the ruling.
According to the post mortem report, baby Bame died due to “severe blunt force injuries on the head, chest, abdomen and body,” continued the Judge.
She further highlighted Sefhemo’s dismal failure to provide a “safe haven of comfort and protect the baby from harm. “Only for him to turn out “to be the very harm, the child needed to be protected against.”
Judge Mogomotsi said the accused’s actions fully demonstrated he did not value the baby’s life, let alone his welfare. Instead of picking the crying baby, so to comfort him or find out the cause of the baby’s discomfort, Sefhemo did the unimaginable, savagely attacked the innocent baby.
