Community members will stage a picket outside the Colesberg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday when a suspect who was arrested for the brutal attack on his girlfriend is expected to appear on charges of attempted murder and domestic violence.
COMMUNITY members will stage a picket outside the Colesberg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday when a suspect who was arrested for the brutal attack on his girlfriend is expected to appear on charges of attempted murder and domestic violence.
ANC Edward Mjadu branch secretary Fuma Eric Bisiwe said the incident occurred at around midnight on January 8 when the suspect allegedly stabbed his girlfriend and choked her with an electrical cord.
“Neighbours heard her screaming and called the police. Upon their arrival, the police found her in the kitchen, foaming at the mouth and lying in a pool of blood. The suspect was arrested on the scene on Sunday,” said Bisiwe.
“The 39-year-old suspect is from Soutpan in the Free State but is working as a bricklayer at Gariep Dam. His 37-year-old girlfriend is employed as a security guard. The incident occurred at the place where she is renting, where they are living together, in Norvalspont. The incident took everyone by surprise because he was a quiet and friendly guy.”
He added that the complainant was in a critical but stable condition in hospital.
Bisiwe stated that they were mobilising community members to protest outside the court and to call for the suspect to be denied bail.
“Gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide is a heinous crime where incidents are occurring on a daily basis. The ANC is shocked and dismayed over this brutal and vicious attack of a young woman [allegedly] by her live-in boyfriend. We plead with the justice system to keep violent criminals behind bars and to deny them bail, as they pose a danger to society.
“We further appeal to all community members, specifically men who are residing in ward 7, to join us on Tuesday, January 10 at the Colesberg Magistrate’s Court at 9am to join us in a peaceful protest against his bail application. We challenge men to be practical in the fight against GBV.
“We pray for the speedy recovery of the complainant and are calling for a stiff sentence to be imposed if the culprit is found to be guilty.”
Northern Cape police spokesperson Captain Olebogeng Tawana said the Norvalspont police were investigating a case of attempted murder related to domestic violence after the suspect allegedly assaulted and strangled his girlfriend in Norvalspont during the early hours of January 8.
“The suspect was arrested on the scene after community members alerted the police about the alleged incident. The complainant has been admitted to the hospital with serious injuries, while the suspect is in police custody,” said Tawana.
He added that the suspect was expected to appear in the Colesberg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, January 10.
“The investigation continues.”
