A former Northern Cape prosecutor has been sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment after a court found him guilty of sexual assault, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH), contravening a protection order and driving under the influence.
Incident in Paballelo, Upington
The offending took place on 13 November 2022 at the couple’s home in Paballelo, near Upington, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional office said. The complainant, a then-29-year-old member of the South African Police Service (SAPS), was assaulted and sexually assaulted during an argument after she told the man she wanted to end the relationship.
Evidence presented in court showed the offences occurred while the couple’s two-year-old child was present in the house. Police colleagues arrived at the scene to collect the complainant for duty and intervened, enabling her to escape and leading to the opening of a criminal case.
“A criminal case was subsequently opened, and the accused was arrested,”
said NPA regional spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane, who outlined the sequence of events and the testimonies used at trial.
Prosecution evidence and witnesses
During the trial the state called several witnesses, including SAPS members who were first responders. Those witnesses described the complainant’s physical and emotional condition after the incident and detailed the conduct of the accused when officers attempted to intervene.
The state also relied on a Victim Impact Statement, prepared with the assistance of a court preparation officer, which described the profound effect of the assault on both the complainant and the minor child. The court further heard evidence from a registered forensic nurse.
Conviction and sentence
The accused, a 40-year-old man formerly posted to the Upington District Court, was convicted on the charges and received a custodial sentence totalling 10 years. His identity has been withheld in court records to protect the identity of the complainant.
The NPA statement listed the charges under which the man was convicted as:
- Sexual assault
- Assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH)
- Contravening a protection order
- Driving under the influence of alcohol
| Offence | Court outcome |
|---|---|
| Sexual assault | Convicted |
| Assault with intent to do GBH | Convicted |
| Contravening a protection order | Convicted |
| Driving under the influence | Convicted |
| Total sentence | 10 years’ imprisonment |
Context and local impact
Cases involving members of the legal profession draw particular attention because they raise questions about trust in public institutions and the oversight of those tasked with upholding the law. In this matter, both the complainant and the accused were serving public-service members at the time of the incident — the complainant a SAPS member and the accused a prosecutor previously based at the local district court.
The presence of a very young child during the offences heightens concerns about the welfare of children exposed to domestic violence. The Victim Impact Statement presented in court documented the emotional and practical harm suffered by the family.
Local support services such as SAPS Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences units, social services and NGOs are generally the first point of contact for survivors in the Northern Cape. People concerned about domestic violence can report incidents at any SAPS station and may apply for protection orders at the court. SASSA, health facilities and social workers can assist with immediate welfare needs.
Legal procedure and anonymity
To protect the identity of the victim, court records have withheld the accused’s name from public reporting. The NPA handled the prosecution and the control prosecutor in court is reported as Charnill Kok. The involvement of a forensic nurse and court preparation officer shows the multidisciplinary approach the state used when presenting the case.
This conviction and sentence are part of ongoing efforts to hold perpetrators of gender-based violence to account in the Northern Cape. The NPA continues to monitor and pursue serious offences involving domestic and sexual violence across the province.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, contact your nearest SAPS station or call the national emergency number 10111. Survivors seeking counselling or support can approach local social services or NGOs that provide assistance to victims of domestic and sexual violence.
