The Acting District Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Namakwa District, Colonel Diketso Lekgwathi, has welcomed the five-year prison sentence handed down to 22-year-old Arnold Jonkers for assaulting a three-year-old child.
The sentencing took place in the Williston Magistrate’s Court, which heard that the incident occurred on Sunday, 19 March 2023. The young victim was walking home with her parents when they encountered two known individuals fighting near their residence.
In an attempt to de-escalate the situation, the victim’s father intervened to stop the altercation. After the fight had broken up, the accused, Jonkers, allegedly began throwing stones and bricks toward the family. One of the projectiles, a brick, struck the three-year-old girl on the head, causing a serious injury. She was rushed to a local medical facility for treatment.
Following the incident, a case was reported to the South African Police Service. The suspect was subsequently arrested and charged with assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
The investigation was led by Detective Constable Anthony Willemse of the Calvinia Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit. Detective Constable Willemse successfully opposed bail for the accused. After several court appearances, Jonkers was ultimately convicted and sentenced.
In addition to the prison term, the court formally declared Arnold Jonkers unfit to possess a firearm.
