Woman killer, Brian Scharneck, will serve life behind bars for the murder of his life partner, Marilyn Maarman, 38, after a violent assault due to her alleged infidelity. 

This week, the Nxuba Regional Court (formerly Cradock) sentenced Scharneck, 33, for Maarman’s murder, which occurred at their home on Elansdrift Farm, where they cohabited. 

According to court details, fellow farm employees noticed that Maarman had sustained severe burns to her head and face on September 30, 2023, which raised concerns for her well-being, and they immediately called an ambulance.

Eastern Cape division of the National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, Luxolo Tyali, in a statement, said that Maarman was transported to the hospital but sadly succumbed to her injuries the following day, on October 1, 2023.

“Following her death, allegations emerged that Scharneck had physically assaulted her. During the police investigation, Scharneck confessed to attacking her with a ceramic bowl, kicking her, and punching her with his fists after accusing her of infidelity. In his own words, her admission to the allegation enraged him and led to the violent assault. Scharneck was arrested on 2 October 2023 and later pleaded guilty to the charge of murder in terms of Section 112(2) of the Criminal Procedure Act,” said Tyali.

In arguing for a fitting sentence, Regional Court Prosecutor Makabongwe Seyibokwe highlighted the cruel and sustained nature of the attack, emphasising that gender-based violence has no place in society and must be met with the harshest penalties.

“He pointed out that the victim was attacked in her own home, a place where she should have felt safe, and that the brutality of the assault, carried out by someone she trusted and lived with, demonstrated a complete disregard for her dignity, life, and humanity.

“Seyibokwe added that such acts of domestic violence continue to plague communities and that the courts must send a clear message that offenders will face the full might of the law,” said Tyali.

Welcoming the sentence, Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, Barry Madolo, said: “This life sentence reflects the NPA’s commitment to ensuring justice for victims of gender-based violence. This ruling sends a strong message that such acts of violence will be met with the full might of the law. No person should have to endure violence at the hands of a partner or loved one. We commend the prosecution team and the investigating officers for their swift and thorough work in securing this conviction.”

Tyali said they welcomed the sentence imposed on Scharneck for the brutal, gender-based murder of his life partner.

“This outcome affirms the justice system’s unwavering commitment to addressing gender-based violence (GBV) with the seriousness it deserves. The sentence sends a strong and unequivocal message that perpetrators of intimate partner violence will face the full might of the law.

“The NPA remains resolute in its pursuit of justice for victims of GBV and in ensuring safe communities for all,” said Tyali. 

chevon.booysen@inl.co.za

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