Northern Cape man gets five years for striking three-year-old with brick
A Northern Cape man has been jailed for five years after striking a three-year-old girl on the head with a brick during a violent altercation.
Image: File picture
THE WILLISTON Magistrate's Court has sentenced 22-year-old Arnold Jonkers to five years' imprisonment for the grievous assault of a child.
The sentence was welcomed by Colonel Diketso Lekgwathi, the acting district commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Namakwa District.
The incident that led to the court proceedings occurred on Sunday, March 19, 2023, when a three-year-old girl was walking home with her parents. The family encountered a violent altercation involving two known individuals in their vicinity. Concerned for the safety of his family, the victim's father intervened to break up the fight.
However, Jonkers retaliated by throwing stones and bricks at the family, and one brick struck the child on the head. The young girl sustained serious injuries and required urgent medical attention at a local facility.
Following the incident, law enforcement was notified, prompting swift action.
Detective Constable Anthony Willemse of the Calvinia SAPS Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences Unit spearheaded the investigation. His efforts were critical in opposing bail for Jonkers, who faced multiple court appearances before ultimately being convicted and sentenced.
In addition to the prison sentence, the court declared Jonkers unfit to possess a firearm, a decision aimed at ensuring the safety of the community.
The Namakwa District SAPS management praised Constable Willemse for his unwavering dedication to effectively prosecuting violent crimes against children and holding perpetrators accountable.