A mother was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by the Virginia Regional Court for severely assaulting her 12-year-old daughter after she accused her of stealing R100.
A MOTHER was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by the Virginia Regional Court for assaulting her 12-year-old daughter after she accused her of stealing R100.
The incident took place on November 19, 2023, while the girl was asleep at her grandparent’s home where she was residing.
The regional spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Mojalefa Senokoatsane, said the accused arrived at the house and dragged the child out of her bed.
“The child denied taking the money and the mother started to assault her all over the body and in her face with a leather belt. The child’s grandparents took the child to the doctor and reported the incident to the police. The mother was arrested on a charge of assault and grievous bodily harm (GBH) on a child,” said Senokoatsane.
He added that the mother pleaded guilty to the charges on February 26.
“She submitted a correctional report in mitigation of sentence and argued that she was a first offender and was disciplining her child.
“In aggravation of the sentence, the regional court prosecutor, Maria Nel, argued that the mother was using the child, that she did not care for her and that the child was left in the care of the grandparents.
“The State also argued that no substantial and compelling circumstances existed for the court to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence. The accused had shown no remorse. A mother was supposed to care for and protect her child and the accused was the person the child needed protection from.
“The State argued that as the upper guardian of all children, the court should send out a message that violence against children will not be tolerated.”
Senokoatsane believed that the sentence validated the NPA’s commitment to the fight against violence against women and children.
