08 Mar 2016

In a case heard before the Raphalane Customary Court recently,  Tlwaelo Mpoelang (37) pleaded guilty to a single count of unlawful wounding.

Presenting the facts of the case, Constable Stephen Nfila informed the court that on February 2 this year around 8am, the police received a complaint from plaintiff Ms Barenyatsi Basinyi that the defendant had attacked her.

Constable Nfila said the police found out that the defendant went to the plaintiff's work place in Unit 5 where she worked as a helper in one of the homes and attacked her.

The court heard that the plaintiff tried to escape by running to the bedroom of her employer of which the defendant followed her with a digging fork and started beating her and ultimately stabbing her at the back of her head.

The court was informed that in the midst of the attack, the plaintiff's employer came to the house and demanded to know why the defendant was attacking the plaintiff but complainant failed to answer. 

The  digging fork and the plaintiff's medical report form were presented to court as part of the evidence.

When pleading for a lighter sentence, Mpoelang said he had two children with two different mothers and took care of them.

Therefore sending him to jail would disadvantage the welfare of his children.

When delivering the sentence, deputy customary court president, Mr Basimanebotlhe Kgomotso said the court took into consideration the mitigation presented by the defendant and also that he was a first time offender. 

The defendant was sentenced to four strokes. ends