- The Phuthaditjhaba Magistrates’ Court sentenced the mother to six months in prison, wholly suspended for five years, police and prosecutors say.
- The sentence only takes effect if she is convicted of a similar offence committed in those five years.
A 31-year-old mother from Phuthaditjhaba in the Free State has been sentenced for assaulting her eight-year-old daughter.
The Phuthaditjhaba Magistrates’ Court gave her six months in prison, wholly suspended for five years. That means the sentence only takes effect if she is convicted of a similar offence committed during those five years.
Police say the Department of Social Development received a complaint about the abuse on 7 August 2025. The department had already received an earlier complaint about the same mother. The social worker pulled the existing file before dealing with the new case.
According to police, the child was at home with her mother, who told her to look after a one-year-old child while she went out to drink alcohol. The mother then kicked the girl with her boots and injured her eye.
A case of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, which means assault meant to cause serious injury, was opened at the police station. The Phuthaditjhaba Family, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit investigated it, working with the National Prosecuting Authority.
The South African Police Service welcomed the sentence. It said it remains committed to protecting children and making sure people who are violent towards vulnerable members of society appear in court.
