‘She Went Silent’: Man Gets Life for Stabbing Ex-Girlfriend, Pushing 90-Year-Old Grandmother Who Intervened

A 38-year-old man has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Potchefstroom Regional Court for a brutal attack on his former girlfriend and her 90-year-old grandmother.

Gouws Galetlhobogwe was convicted of attempted murder, assault, housebreaking with intent to commit an offence, and contravention of the Domestic Violence Act. He pleaded guilty to all charges.

The Attack

According to Sivenathi Gunya, communications officer of the National Prosecuting Authority (North-West Division), the violence occurred on 24 November 2024 at Matlwang Village, approximately 25km outside Potchefstroom.

The accused and the 34-year-old complainant had previously been in a relationship, which had ended three months before the incident.

In the early hours of the morning, Galetlhobogwe unlawfully broke into the complainant’s home, proceeded to her bedroom, and stabbed her multiple times.

When the complainant’s 90-year-old grandmother attempted to intervene, the accused pushed her, causing her to fall to the ground.

He continued stabbing the complainant until she went silent, then fled the scene.

The accused was arrested two days later and remained in custody after being denied bail.

The Sentence

In aggravation of sentence, State Prosecutor Thandi Ntoyi emphasised the gravity of the offencesparticularly the attempted murder within a domestic relationship and the abuse of an elderly person, both of which involve vulnerable groups.

The court concurred and imposed:

• Attempted murder: Life imprisonment

• Contravention of the Domestic Violence Act: 2 years’ imprisonment

• Housebreaking with intent: 4 years’ imprisonment

• Assault: 4 years’ imprisonment

All sentences will run concurrently with the life sentence.

The court further ordered that the accused’s name be entered into the Register for Abuse of Older Persons.

The Response

Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, welcomed the sentence, commending Prosecutor Ntoyi, the investigating officer, and all stakeholders involved.

“These sentences underscore the National Prosecuting Authority’s unwavering commitment to fighting crime, upholding the rule of law, and ensuring justice for victims of violent crime,” she said.

The Bottom Line

A relationship ends. A woman is safe in her home. Then a man breaks in, stabs her repeatedly, and pushes a 90-year-old grandmother to the ground when she tries to help.

Life imprisonment is the sentence. But for the survivor, recovery will take a lifetime. And for the grandmother, the memory of that night will never fade.

{Source: Citizen}

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