Northern Cape man jailed for brutal attack on niece

A 25-YEAR-OLD Niekerkshoop man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison - three years of which are suspended - for a violent attack on his 20-year-old niece that left her hospitalised and sparked a swift police manhunt.

Northern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Molefi Shemane said the case has once again highlighted the SAPS’s focus on tackling gender-based violence in the Province.

The incident, which took place in July last year, shocked the small Northern Cape community after the young woman was discovered with serious injuries and rushed to Prieska Hospital for treatment. The assailant, identified as her uncle, fled the scene shortly after the attack.

The police wasted no time launching a search operation and soon arrested the suspect, Rayno de Bruin, who later chose to remain behind bars by abandoning his bail application.

De Bruin was found guilty of attempted murder by the Griekwastad Regional Court earlier this month. The court not only imposed a custodial sentence of 10 years - three of which were suspended for five years - but also barred him from ever owning a firearm.

Pixley ka Seme district commissioner Major-General Nomana Mtukushe praised Detective Constable Charlin Fortuin of the Niekerkshoop Detective Service for her diligent investigation, which played a key role in securing justice for the victim.