Woman sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for attacking her ex-boyfriend new partner with acid on Valentines Day
The Mokopane Regional Court in South Africa has convicted and sentenced Yvonne Maja (25) of Ga-Rakgwatha to an effective 20 years’ imprisonment after finding her guilty of attempted m8rder and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH).
Maja was sentenced to 18 years’ imprisonment for attempted m8rder and an additional two years’ imprisonment for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, with the sentences ordered to run consecutively.
During the trial, the State led evidence that on 14 February 2024 at Mogoto village, the accused had an argument over the phone with her ex-boyfriend and the complainant, Mmapeu Hlanga.
After finishing work, she went to her ex-boyfriend’s homestead, where she found both individuals.
She accused her ex-boyfriend of infidelity and immediately produced a bottle containing a liquid, which she poured onto the complainant’s face and parts of her body.
The liquid also spilled onto her ex-boyfriend. The matter was reported to the police, and following an investigation, the accused was arrested. It was later confirmed that the victims had been doused with acid.
In aggravation of sentence, State Prosecutor Rakoma Dibuleng Christina presented a Victim Impact Statement compiled by Court Preparation Officer Maela Lebogang, outlining the severe physical and psychological trauma suffered by the complainant.
The State submitted that the accused failed to accept the end of her relationship, resulting in permanent disfigurement to the complainant.
The court heard that the complainant’s life has been irreversibly altered, including her ability to move freely in her community without distress.
The State further argued that the accused showed no genuine remorse and was not candid in court during her attempted guilty plea, which the State declined to accept.
