Pietermaritzburg man sentenced for assaulting South Coast woman
The incident had left the woman injured and hospitalised.
Slade Botha (21) from Pietermaritzburg was recently found guilty of assaulting Nikita Kleynhans (34) at a local shopping centre in Umtentweni in September 2022.
Botha was charged with assault to commit grievous bodily harm.
The Port Shepstone Magistrate’s Court sentenced Botha to three years’ imprisonment, of which one year was suspended, for five years on condition that he is not found guilty of the same charge during the period of suspension. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
Kleynhans from Sea Park made front page headlines in the Herald after the incident in the parking lot area left her hospitalised.
She had sustained injuries to her face and head, which rendered her unconscious and bleeding profusely.
Speaking about the case, Kleynhans said that millions of women and girls continue to experience discrimination and violence, being denied their equality, dignity and even life.
“It’s essential to raise our voices and make some noise about issues that women face on a daily basis and take a stand against gender-based violence. I raised my voice, not so I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard.”
She thanked everyone who fought alongside her on this very long and emotional journey.
“Without you, this would have been just another case gone unseen,” she added.
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