Phuthaditjhaba mother gets suspended sentence for kicking daughter in the eye

A 31-year-old mother from Phuthaditjhaba has been sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years, for assaulting her eight-year-old daughter. The sentence was handed down by the Phuthaditjhaba Magistrate’s Court, according to a South African Police Service media statement.

The court convicted the woman on a charge of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm. The suspension is conditional on her not being convicted of a similar offence committed during the five-year period.

The incident dates back to 7 August 2025. The Department of Social Development received a complaint about the alleged abuse of the child by her mother. The department had previously received a complaint involving the same mother, and the social worker retrieved the existing file before proceeding with the matter.

It is alleged that the child was at home with her mother, who instructed her to look after a one-year-old child while she went out to consume alcohol. The mother then assaulted the child by kicking her with booted feet, causing an injury to her eye.

A case of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm was opened at the police station and assigned to Detective Constable Moeti of the Phuthaditjhaba Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit for investigation.

The accused appeared before the Phuthaditjhaba Magistrate’s Court, where Magistrate Msimanga presided and Prosecutor Ms Nteo represented the State.

The South African Police Service has welcomed the sentence and reiterated its commitment to protecting children and ensuring that perpetrators of violence against vulnerable members of society are brought before the courts.

The statement is a summary of the case issued by the police, not the full court record.

Source: South African Police Service (SAPS), Mother sentenced for assaulting her eight-year-old daughter (https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=71638)