By BAKANG MOKOTO
24 July 2026 – A man (33) from Kathu, near Kuruman was sentenced to six months imprisonment for assault with intent to cause Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) and malicious damage to property by the Kathu Regional Court. This comes after the accused, Frederick Byliefeldt attacked his former girlfriend (29).
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Litabe said the incident took place on 20 April 2024. Litabe said the court heard that during an altercation with the mother of his children, Byliefeldt drove his vehicle through the gate of the victim’s residence, while she and her children were standing nearby.
“When the victim refused to open the gate, the accused deliberately rammed through it, causing extensive damage and the gate collapsing onto the victim, resulting in head injuries. A case of assault with intent to cause Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) was registered at Kathu Police Station, leading to the arrest of the accused.
“The investigation was conducted by Detective Warrant Officer Boikanyo Pilane of the Kathu Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit. Following numerous court appearances, the accused was convicted on one count of assault with intent to cause Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) and one count of malicious damage to property,” he said.
Litabe further said Byliefeldt was sentenced to three months for assault with intent to cause Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) and the sentence was wholly suspended for five years. He added that on malicious damage to property offence, he was sentenced to three months imprisonment or a fine of R2000, wholly suspended for five years.
Meanwhile, the acting John Taolo Gaetsewe District Police Commissioner, Brigadier Kenneth Baloyi, welcomed the conviction and sentence. Baloyi expressed the hope that the sentence will serve as a deterrent to perpetrators of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF).
The Guardian 