In a case underscoring the justice system’s stringent stance on gender-based violence, a 28-year-old Hopetown man, Ricardo Badula, was sentenced to seven years of direct imprisonment on Wednesday, 19 November 2025.
The sentencing took place in the Regional Court sitting in Hopetown, where Badula had pleaded guilty to a charge of assault with the intention to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH).
The court heard that the incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, 25 June 2025. An enraged Badula arrived home at approximately 00:30 and found his 21-year-old girlfriend sleeping with her 10-month-old baby. He immediately began swearing at her.
When the victim chose to ignore him, Badula retrieved a ‘sjambok’—a heavy whip—and proceeded to assault her with it all over her body. The woman attempted to shield herself from the brutal attack before managing to flee to a neighbour’s home to seek help.
However, the accused followed her and continued the assault at the neighbour’s residence. This escalation prompted witnesses to contact the police, who were called to the scene.
A case of assault GBH was registered, and Badula was arrested on the same day. The investigation was assigned to Detective Constable Retshedisitswe Faniso of the Hopetown Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit.
Detective Constable Faniso successfully opposed all bail applications by the accused, ensuring he remained in custody from the day of his arrest through his court appearances on 18 and 19 November 2025, until his final sentencing.