Magistrate bans abused woman from reporting

Goitsemodimo Akanyang | Wednesday May 15, 2019 15:31

 

The State alleged that sometime in December, 2016, Unangoni Jonas unlawfully wounded Ntshegetsang by hitting her with an axe on the head while she was asleep. 

When the matter came for trial date setting before magistrate Cele Lebakeng this week, the prosecution told the court that the complainant, Ntshegetsang, has decided to withdraw the charges against Jonas (her boyfriend). 

In response, magistrate Lebakeng asked Ntshegetsang how many times her boyfriend had hit her. 

“It was the first time we had a fight your worship. He has asked for my forgiveness. He said it was a mistake that he will never repeat,” said Ntshegetsang under oath. 

Magistrate Lebakeng then said: “Is it normal to you that on your first fight with boyfriend, decides to hit you with an axe, on your sleep? Do you know that if you had not woken up and screamed, he would have killed you? Let me enlighten you on something you don’t see, this man is going to kill you next time he lays his hands on you”. 

“I am washing my hands off this matter and you. You are not to run to the police next time if he hits you because this is what you want. Go and stay with your boyfriend and let him kill you. This court tried to help you. This case is withdrawn with prejudice,” said magistrate Lebakeng.

Lebakeng further told the public prosecutor, Sub Inspector Cecilia Nchochi that Ntshegetsang is banned from reporting her abusive boyfriend to the police next time they have a fight. 

Magistrate Lebakeng expressed serious concern towards abused women who always withdraw cases with false promises from their abusers that they would never hit them again.