In a significant ruling during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, the Hopetown Regional Court in the Northern Cape sentenced 27-year-old Marthinus Nuwegeld to life imprisonment for the brutal assault of a 17-year-old girl. This ruling sends a clear and resounding message that crimes against women and children will not be tolerated in South Africa. The case, which took place in November 2022, involved Nuwegeld ambushing the victim as she was walking home, dragging her to a nearby shack where he subjected her to a horrific attack.
Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, the Northern Cape police commissioner, praised the conviction, noting that it serves as a strong deterrent to others considering committing such violent acts. Police spokesperson Sergeant Molefi Shemane emphasized that this sentence reflects the firm stance the country is taking against gender-based violence. “This hefty and significant sentence is a clear indication that crimes against women and children will not be tolerated, and perpetrators will be harshly punished,” Shemane stated.
The successful conviction of Nuwegeld was largely due to the diligent work of Detective Sergeant Ricardo Kock, from the Hopetown Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences Unit. Kock’s thorough investigation was instrumental in ensuring that the perpetrator was brought to justice. Advocate Nicola van Niekerk, a member of the prosecutorial team, played a crucial role in securing a conviction and ensuring that bail was denied to the accused.
As the country observes the 16 Days of Activism, Lieutenant General Otola reiterated the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) ongoing commitment to tackling violence against women and children. She highlighted that, while the campaign has its designated period, the SAPS’s efforts would continue beyond these days. The theme of the campaign, “30 years of advancing collective action to end violence against women and children,” further emphasizes the need for a united approach to combat these crimes. Otola reaffirmed the SAPS’s pledge to provide continued support for victims and to intensify efforts in high-risk areas across the country.
