A 31-year-old Springbok man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for stabbing a 16-year-old boy in the face and arm in Vaalwater, Northern Cape.
Johndro Gous, also known as “Johny Be Good”, was sentenced by the Springbok Regional Court after being convicted of attacking the teenager with a large knife on March 28.
Two years of the sentence were suspended for five years on condition that Gous is not convicted of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm or assault during the suspension period.
The court also declared Gous unsuitable to work with children in terms of the Children’s Act and unfit to possess a firearm under the Firearms Control Act.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane said the incident occurred after the teenager and two friends encountered Gous while walking along Madeliefie Street in Vaalwater.
One of the youths was carrying a beer when one of his friends told Gous that a person known as “Oubaas” was looking for him.
According to evidence presented in court, Gous became aggressive and challenged the youths, asking whether they wanted to see how he would rob them of the beer.
After the youths mocked him and encouraged him to demonstrate, Gous moved towards them, causing all three to flee.
The 16-year-old later returned alone to retrieve his flip-flops after losing them while running away.
The NPA said Gous, armed with a large knife, then approached him and stabbed him once in the face and once in the left arm.
“The complainant managed to escape while Gous continued pursuing him with the knife,” Senokoatsane said.
The teenager reached a nearby house, where residents assisted him and contacted his mother before he was taken to hospital.
His injuries required stitches inside and outside his mouth, as well as to his arm.
The court heard that the prescribed minimum sentence of 10 years applied because the victim was a minor.
However, the court found that the Gous’s personal circumstances, the interests of the community and the fact that the teen and his mother agreed to the proposed sentence amounted to substantial and compelling circumstances justifying a deviation from the prescribed minimum sentencing framework.
The NPA welcomed the sentence and the additional orders against Gous.
“The outcome reflects the justice system’s commitment to protecting children and holding perpetrators of violent crime accountable,” Senokoatsane said.
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Gous had reportedly moved from Calvinia to Springbok about a year and a half before the incident and was living with his sister in Vaalwater.
The prosecution was led by Regional Court Prosecutor Mr Kock.
The NPA said it would continue to pursue cases involving crimes against vulnerable people.
“The NPA remains steadfast in its mandate to prosecute crimes against vulnerable members of society and will continue to pursue justice on behalf of victims of violent offences,” Senokoatsane said.
IOL News
Wendy Dondolo
iol.co.za
