A 43-year-old man from Tsoelike, Waterfall, has been sentenced to two years’ imprisonment or a fine of two thousand maloti after being convicted of aggravated assault.
Senior Resident Magistrate Tšeliso Bale of the Qacha’s Nek Magistrate Court imposed the sentence on Thabo Ntlhola but suspended it on condition that he pays compensation of M2000 to the complainant by the 30th of January 2026.
In passing sentence, Magistrate Bale said the court took into account that Ntlhola is a first-time offender and that he pleaded guilty, thereby saving the court’s time.
The court heard that on the 10th of January 2026 at Motse-mocha, Ntlhola intentionally caused serious bodily harm to the complainant by beating her with a reinforced metal rod, resulting in multiple injuries to her left hand. He was convicted under Section 31 subsections 1 and 2(a), read with Section 109 subsection 1 of the Penal Code Act of 2010.
Crown Counsel, ’Mantšebo Mofoka, told the court that the complainant lives with the accused and that they have three children, including 18-year-old twins and a 10-year-old child. She said the incident occurred while the complainant was asleep, when the accused arrived home, insulted and slapped her, before later returning with the metal rod and assaulting her. The children reportedly witnessed the attack, and the complainant was treated at Machabeng Government Hospital.
In mitigation, Ntlhola expressed remorse and asked for leniency, stating that he was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the offence and that his children depend on him for their education.
The ruling underscores the court’s effort to balance leniency for first-time offenders with accountability for domestic violence, while sending a strong message that alcohol-related abuse within families will not be tolerated.
