An Etwatwa man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for attempted murder after attacking his wife with a screwdriver, hammer and axe.

Patrick Tlou Mphela (54) was found guilty by the Benoni Magistrate’s Court and sentenced on September 11 to 15 years’ imprisonment for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and 20 years for attempted murder. The sentences will run concurrently.

According to police, the incident followed an argument between Mphela and his wife at their Etwatwa home on March 24, 2023.

The couple had been drinking with neighbours when the woman suggested they go to bed and asked the neighbours to leave because it was already late.

Police said Mphela became aggressive and assaulted his wife. Police removed him from the home after issuing a protection order against him.

However, police said Mphela returned to the property on March 28 and accessed his wife’s room through the roof.

He then attacked her with a screwdriver, stabbing her in the middle and lower parts of her body.

Detective Constable Innocent Rambulwani Khwareli and Detective Sergeant Daniel Moshoma, both attached to Etwatwa SAPS, investigated the case.

The investigating officers presented the necessary evidence to the court, resulting in Mphela’s conviction and sentence.

Ekurhuleni District Commissioner Major General Anna Sithole welcomed the conviction and commended the detectives for their diligent work in securing justice for the victim of gender-based violence.

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