What began as a child’s cry for help on Christmas Day ended with justice being served this week, as a Northern Cape man was sentenced to 15 years in prison for the fatal assault of his partner.
WHAT began as a child’s cry for help on Christmas Day ended with justice being served this week, as a Northern Cape man was sentenced to 15 years in prison for the fatal assault of his partner.
Provincial police spokesperson Sergeant Molefi Shemane said that officers from the Vanwyksvlei SAPS were called to a farm on December 25, 2023, at around 1,15pm, after a community member shared a distressing report from a young boy. The child had arrived at a neighbouring farm to report that his father and stepmother had been in a violent altercation, leaving her unresponsive.
Upon arrival at the scene, the police found 35-year-old Shamers Jonkers, who admitted to assaulting his partner. He was subsequently taken into custody.
Nearly a year later, on November 13 this week, the Carnarvon Regional Court convicted Jonkers of the crime and sentenced him to 15 years in prison.
The Pixley ka Seme district commissioner, Major-General Nomana Mtukushe, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, praising the efforts of Detective Warrant Officer Mervin Sekoor for his dedication in securing the conviction and delivering justice to the victim’s family.
He added that the sentence sends a clear message that domestic violence will not be tolerated.
