Staff Reporter.
Corrie Pretorius was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment or R12 000 fine for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and the pointing of a firearm at the Groblersdal Magistrates’ Court.
This after Pretorius was found guilty of severely assaulting a 16-year-old boy.
The assault occurred on 15 June last year at a fish and chips shop in the small Limpopo town and was captured in a short video that went viral on social media.
The video showed Pretorius dragging the teen around on the ground. He was also seen pointing a firearm at the teenager and kicking and stomping on him. The teenager did not retaliate.
The incident sparked outrage among residents, who marched to the police station, demanding justice. After his arrest, Pretorius’ wife received threatening phone calls and opened a case of intimidation.
The court sentenced Pretorius to R12 000 or 12 months’ imprisonment, of which half is suspended for five years, and also declared him unfit to own a firearm.
The spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Limpopo, Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, said the accused pleaded guilty to the offences and was remorseful.
“The State advocate Billy Mudavhi submitted that the offence is serious and … prayed for direct imprisonment,” Malabi-Dzhangi added.
The NPA welcomed the sentence and said it would send a strong message to would-be offenders.