A Northern Cape man has been sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for a brutal and unprovoked stabbing in Galeshewe. 

Liston Isaac Frans was convicted and sentenced by the Galeshewe Regional Court after being convicted of attempted murder, said National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Mojalefa Senokoatsane. 

Frans was convicted of an incident that took place on July 21, 2024, at a tavern in Galeshewe. 

“On the night of the attack, Frans and the 30-year-old victim were both present at the establishment. Although the two men grew up in the same community and were familiar with each other, Frans suddenly became aggressive towards the complainant without any provocation. During the altercation, Frans pulled out an Okapi knife and stabbed the victim once in the stomach. 

“The injury was severe and life-threatening. The victim was rushed to the hospital, where he underwent an emergency operation that saved his life. He remained hospitalised for a month due to the severity of the wound. The medical J88 confirmed that the injury was life-threatening,” said Senokoatsane.

Details that emerged in court, a security officer who witnessed the attack testified that he saw Frans strike towards the complainant and later removed the knife from Frans’s pocket. 

“Despite this evidence, Frans pleaded not guilty and denied stabbing the victim. The State, however, successfully proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt. During sentencing, regional court prosecutor Shareen Links argued that Frans showed no remorse for his actions.

“She further stated that he attacked a defenceless, unarmed victim without cause and nearly killed him for nothing. She urged the court to impose a sentence that reflects the seriousness of the offence and reinforces the constitutional principle that life is sacred and should be protected,” said Senokoatsane.

The Galeshewe Regional Court also considered the victim’s impact statement, in which the victim detailed how the attack had traumatised him and how he had to spend a month in hospital fighting for his life.

“This conviction and sentence reaffirm the NPA’s unwavering commitment to holding violent offenders accountable and safeguarding the public. The right to life is the foundation of a peaceful and just society, and senseless acts of violence erode not only individual safety but also the social fabric of our communities. Every person has a constitutional right to live free from harm, intimidation, and unlawful attacks, and this right must be respected and upheld by all,” said Senokoatsane.

chevon.booysen@inl.co.za

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