Women who 'fought for their lives' face possible life sentences

TWO KIMBERLEY women who claim they were defending themselves from violent attacks by their intimate partners could face lengthy prison sentences if convicted of murder.

Both incidents occurred at around 12.40am on May 26, and both accused women are now single mothers of three minor children each.

Legal representative Gary Botha, acting for Joyce Eiman, said his client was attacked by her partner with a hammer, suffering blows to the back of her head and left shoulder.

“After the attack, she fled for her life to her brother’s house. The deceased pursued her and threatened to kill her at knifepoint. Eiman fell to the ground and bit him in an attempt to fight him off when he grabbed her with both hands,” said Botha.

He explained that during the struggle, Eiman pushed the sharp end of the knife into her partner’s body.

“He let go, and she managed to free herself. She then reported the matter to the Roodepan police station.”

Botha added that Eiman should be released to care for her three children, one of whom - a six-year-old - is the biological child of the deceased.

“She was in a physically abusive relationship with the deceased. He chased after her with a knife after she ran away. She acted in self-defence,” he said.

Botha stated that Eiman relies on child grants to support her children. 

In a separate case, Botha is also representing Shaheema Hanns, who has been charged with the murder of her partner. Hanns is unemployed and the primary caregiver of her children, aged 12, 10, and three.

“The accused and the deceased were married according to Islamic customs and shared three children. She was verbally and physically abused and had obtained a protection order against him,” said Botha.

He explained that Hanns allowed the deceased to continue visiting the children at her home.

“On the day of the incident, May 25, the deceased asked the accused for a second chance. He took her to a tavern where they consumed alcohol. She later said that she wanted to return home as she was worried about the children. He refused and stated that he wanted to buy drugs. She was against it, as she knew that the deceased became aggressive when he took drugs.”

According to Botha, the deceased struck Hanns in the eye and she tried to flee. 

“He grabbed her jacket and stabbed her in the ear with a knife. She fell to the ground, and he proceeded to sit on top of her and stab her. She grabbed the knife and pressed it into his chest.”

Botha recommended that Hanns and her children receive psychological counselling upon her release.

The State did not oppose bail for either accused, noting that both were first-time offenders with no previous convictions. 

State prosecutor Goitsemodimo Paul stated that the accused were not considered a danger to society. 

He added that post-mortem results were still pending in both cases.

Magistrate Maimane Booi granted bail of R2,000 to Eiman and R1,000 to Hanns. 

She pointed out that the charges were serious and carried the possibility of life imprisonment if the accused were convicted, as the alleged murders were committed in domestic relationships. 

Both women were warned to appear in court again on July 18.

Shaine Griqua, director of the Shaine Griqua Advice and Development Centre, has meanwhile urged the State to consider the circumstances surrounding the cases.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic cases where young women have taken the lives of their partners after enduring prolonged abuse. While we do not condone violence, these incidents reflect the devastating consequences of unchecked gender-based violence and a system that too often fails to protect victims. These women are not monsters - they are survivors who were pushed to the edge by fear, trauma, and a lack of support,” said Griqua.

He added that the centre was committed to offering trauma counselling and emotional support to the families of both the deceased and the accused. 

“We also acknowledge the profound impact these events have on children, and we are actively working to expand our psychosocial support services to reach and assist affected children during this difficult time,” he said.