EX-LOVER WHO REPEATEDLY VIOLATED PROTECTION ORDERS GETS 10-YEAR SENTENCE 

26 August 2025 

EX-LOVER WHO REPEATEDLY VIOLATED PROTECTION ORDERS GETS 10-YEAR SENTENCE 

Bedford, Eastern Cape – The Bedford Regional Court has sentenced Lusizo Manjo (33) to an effective 10 years’ imprisonment following his conviction on charges of housebreaking with intent to assault and cause grievous bodily harm, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH), and failure to comply with a court order relating to domestic violence. The charges stemmed from a violent incident that occurred on 20 September 2024, just three days after Manjo had been released on parole. 

On the night of the incident, the 40-year-old complainant, a former intimate partner of Manjo, was asleep with her family in Phola Park. Shortly after 23h00, she awoke to relieve herself in a separate room, where she was startled to find her ex-boyfriend standing behind her. He asked her to leave with him, but when she screamed in alarm, the rest of the household woke up. When questioned by the complainant’s father about how he had entered the house, Manjo falsely claimed that a child had opened the door, despite the child being asleep on the couch. After repeated requests to leave, Manjo refused and instead drew a knife, stabbing the complainant on her arm. The complainant’s father struck him with a stick, forcing him to leave. However, Manjo later returned and pelted the house with stones, shattering all the windows. 

The following morning, the complainant reported the matter to the police. Manjo also presented himself at the police station, claiming he had been assaulted by the complainant’s father. He was arrested five days later, on 25 September 2024, and his parole was revoked. During the trial, Regional Court Prosecutor Dandolo Maxhaulana led the testimony of the complainant, her father, the J88 medical report, and evidence of the protection order against Manjo. The court heard that Manjo had a long history of violence and intimidation against the same complainant. 

In May 2023, he was convicted of breaching a protection order and sentenced to a fine of R3,000 or six months’ imprisonment, wholly suspended. In March 2024, he was convicted on two further counts of breaching a protection order, receiving 24 months’ direct imprisonment on one count and a wholly suspended six-month sentence on the second, and his criminal record also included a 2010 conviction for possession of drugs, for which he received a fine of R150 or 15 days’ imprisonment. In his defence, Manjo alleged that he and the complainant had remained in contact during his incarceration, claiming she had called him in prison. In sentencing, the court imposed years’ imprisonment for housebreaking with intent to assault,10 years for assault GBH, and 10 years for contravening a protection order. The sentences on the first two counts were ordered to run concurrently with the third, resulting in an effective 10 years’ direct imprisonment. The court also declared him unfit to possess a firearm. 

Welcoming the outcome, Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Barry Madolo, praised the prosecution and investigators for their dedication to tackling gender-based violence. He said: “This sentence affirms the role of the justice system in protecting women from repeat offenders who show blatant disregard for court orders and for the safety and dignity of others. We welcome the court’s firm stance and hope it sends a clear message that violence against women will not be tolerated in our society. “The National Prosecuting Authority remains steadfast in its commitment to combating gender-based violence and ensuring survivors receive the justice and protection they deserve. 

Issued by: 

Luxolo Tyali 

NPA Regional Spokesperson 

Eastern Cape Division 

Tel: 047 501 2630 

Email: ltyali@npa.gov.za 

Cell: 073 555 9292 

Enquiries: Nokuthula Makupula

Email: nmakupula@npa.gov.za | Cell: 068 268 2473