MAN SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS’ DIRECT IMPRISONMENT FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER OF GIRLFRIEND
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the 20-year direct imprisonment sentence imposed by the Nelspruit Regional Court on Arnaldo Constantino Maswanganye (32) for the attempted murder of his 56-year-old girlfriend.
The accused and the complainant were in a domestic relationship and lived together as husband and wife. At the time of the incident, the complainant practised as a traditional healer.
The offence occurred on 18 December 2024 in Mattaffin, near Nelspruit. Earlier that day, the complainant had returned from a nearby stream, where she had fetched water for cleansing rituals for her clients.
After continuing with traditional ceremonies and preparing food, she went to bathe.
While she was bathing, Maswanganye confronted her and accused her of having sexual relationships with male clients. He then repeatedly stabbed her with a knife in her breasts, hands, stomach and thighs. He also struck her on the head with a beer bottle and poured boiling water over her face and body.
The complainant sustained extensive, life-threatening injuries and lost consciousness. She was taken to Rob Ferreira Hospital, where she was admitted and received medical treatment for several days.
Following his arrest, the State successfully opposed bail, and Maswanganye remained in custody throughout the proceedings.
During the trial, he denied assaulting the complainant and claimed he could not remember the incident because she had allegedly given him traditional medicine that caused memory loss.
State Prosecutor John Mahlwele presented evidence including the complainant’s testimony, which was corroborated by a J88 medical report detailing her injuries. The State submitted that she was a credible and reliable witness whose evidence was clear, consistent and supported by the medical findings.
It argued that the accused’s version was improbable and without merit. The court accepted the State’s evidence, rejected the accused’s defence and found him guilty of attempted murder.
During sentencing proceedings, Prosecutor Mahlwele called the complainant to testify about the impact of the crime. She told the court that she continues to receive medical treatment and has not fully recovered. She also described the ongoing psychological trauma she experiences.
In aggravation of sentence, the State emphasised that gender-based violence and domestic abuse remain serious challenges in South Africa. The prosecution argued that the brutality of the attack, the injuries inflicted and the lasting physical and emotional consequences for the complainant warranted a substantial custodial sentence.
It further submitted that a severe sentence was necessary to deter similar offenders, protect vulnerable victims and reaffirm society’s condemnation of violence against women.
In sentencing, the court highlighted the prevalence of gender-based violence in South Africa and the need for stern sentences to combat it.
Maswanganye was sentenced to 20 years’ direct imprisonment and declared unfit to possess a firearm.
The NPA remains committed to combating gender-based violence and ensuring justice for victims. The sentence reflects the serious consequences imposed for brutal acts of domestic violence and the courts’ role in protecting vulnerable members of society.
ENDS
Monica Nyuswa
NPA Regional Spokesperson