NPA ACKNOWLEDGES 10-YEAR SENTENCE FOR MAN WHO ATTACKED GIRLFRIEND WITH PANGA

Jan Kempdorp, Northern Cape – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) acknowledges the sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment imposed by the Jan Kempdorp Magistrates’ Court on 28-year-old Andile Merahe for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH), committed within a domestic relationship.

The conviction and sentence stem from an incident on 25 July 2024 in Jan Kempdorp, when Merahe viciously attacked his then-girlfriend, who was 32 years old at the time. During the attack, Merahe assaulted the victim with a panga, inflicting a serious wound to the side of her face that required medical treatment and stitches.

The attack left the victim with a permanent facial scar, a lasting physical reminder of the violence and trauma she endured.

During sentencing proceedings, the State, represented by Prosecutor Philimon Mathivha, submitted that Merahe was not a first-time offender.

 At the time of sentencing, he was already serving a seven-year term of imprisonment following convictions on two counts of robbery and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. The court further heard that Merahe was out on bail when he committed the current offence.

Mathivha argued that these factors demonstrated the seriousness of Merahe’s conduct and warranted a sentence that reflected the gravity of the offence, the interests of the victim and society, and the need to deter similar acts of violence.

The State also presented a Victim Impact Statement (VIS), compiled by Deputy Director of Court Preparation Matshidiso Maobane. The statement detailed the profound physical and emotional impact the attack has had on the victim, including the lasting consequences of living with a permanent facial scar.

The court accepted the State’s submissions and sentenced Merahe to 10 years’ direct imprisonment.

The NPA remains committed to ensuring that perpetrators of violent crimes, particularly violence against women within domestic and intimate relationships, are held accountable. Such violence can have devastating and lifelong physical, emotional and psychological consequences for victims.

The NPA will continue to work with its criminal justice partners to ensure the effective prosecution of gender-based violence and other violent crimes, and to place the interests and experiences of victims before the courts.

The NPA encourages victims of domestic violence to seek assistance and report incidents of abuse to the relevant authorities. Violence within intimate relationships cannot be normalised or tolerated, and those who perpetrate such offences must face the consequences of their actions.

Issued by:

Mojalefa Senokoatsane

NPA Regional Spokesperson

Northern Cape Division