#Durbanbaby case: Mother in shock over five-year sentence
The Durban mother who led police on a city-wide search after claiming her one-month-old daughter had been kidnapped by hijackers will have to spend at least 18 months in prison before she is eligible for parole.
Sibongile Mbambo was handed a five-year sentence yesterday after admitting fraud, opening a false case and defeating the ends of justice.
Mbambo's lawyer says the 35-year-old mother of four is completely shocked by the sentence she received.
Mfanafuthi Biyela says Mbambo is worried about the well-being of her children over the next year-and-a-half, as she was the sole breadwinner of her family.
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During sentencing yesterday, Magistrate Anand Maharaj said a social worker would be assigned to the family.
He said if Mbambo's children were found not to be receiving proper care, then all four of them would be placed in alternate care. Magistrate Maharaj said Mbambo failed as a mother and failed to understand what she had done.
In terms of the Criminal Procedures Act, Mbambo has to serve one sixth of her sentence before her release can be considered.
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