The Ladysmith Magistrate’s Court handed down a hefty sentence to Sandile Mazibuko (32) for the attempted murder of his ex-partner early last year. According to police, the 25-year-old woman was on her way home when she was confronted by the father of her child. They had separated recently, but it was clear that he was not prepared to accept the fact. He had bad intentions and a horrifying ordeal was about to unfold.

Forced to consume poison

According to police, the accused had mixed a concoction of Jeyes Fluid and paraffin that he wanted her to drink. His plan was to get her to his home and he was willing to do just about anything to make that happen. He began punching her in the face when she resisted. Dazed and in pain, she allowed him to take her to his residence. Once inside, he continued the assault and soon she was bleeding profusely from the blows to her face and ears.

He stopped the assault momentarily to bring her his ‘poisonous potion’. In a desperate attempt to save her own life, she jumped out a window and ran screaming for help. However, she was soon caught by her assailant and this time he had a bottle in his hand which he forced into her mouth, spilling the poison on her open wounds. That’s when community members came to her rescue and the ordeal came to an end.

Police were quick to respond and arrested Mazibuko.

Court hands down strong sentence

Mazibuko appeared in the Ladysmith Magistrate’s Court, where his bail was opposed by the state. He remained in custody until he was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment on count 1, which was attempted murder, and five years on count 2, which was kidnapping. The sentences are to run concurrently.

The accused’s name will be entered in the National Sexual Offenders Register and he was also found unfit to possess a firearm.