NORTHERN CAPE – A 33-year-old Kathu man, Frederick Byliefeldt, has been convicted of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) and malicious damage to property following a violent incident involving his 29-year-old former partner. The Regional Court in Kathu delivered the verdict earlier this month for offences committed on 20 April 2024, marking a significant step in local gender-based violence accountability.
The court heard that during a dispute with the mother of his children, Byliefeldt drove his vehicle toward the victim’s residence. When the victim refused to open the gate, the accused deliberately rammed through it while she and her children were standing nearby. The impact caused extensive damage to the property and resulted in the gate collapsing onto the victim, inflicting head injuries.
Following the incident, a case of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm was registered at the Kathu Police Station, leading to the accused’s arrest. The investigation was spearheaded by Detective Warrant Officer Boikanyo Pilane of the Kathu Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit.
After numerous court appearances, Byliefeldt was found guilty on both counts. The court imposed a sentence of three months’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years, for the assault with intent to cause GBH. Additionally, he received a sentence of three months’ imprisonment or an alternative fine of R2,000 for malicious damage to property, which was also wholly suspended for five years.
Brigadier Kenneth Baloyi, Acting District Commissioner of the John Taolo Gaetsewe District, welcomed the conviction and sentencing. He expressed hope that the outcome will serve as a strong deterrent to perpetrators of gender-based violence and femicide in the region.
