Court told of toddler’s repeated beatings
A WOMAN from Happy Valley in Blue Downs intended to kill her boyfriend’s 3-year-old daughter when she beat her repeatedly with a belt, the Western Cape High Court has heard. State Prosecutor Nadia Ajam argued
dolus directus (intent to kill) in explaining the assault of Anthea Kleynhans, 34, on Lache Stols.
Ajam said the beatings were strong enough to prove intent to murder as well as abuse and/or assault with grievous bodily harm.
“She knew exactly what would have happened. If she beat the child and the child fell, the least she could have done is pick her up. It is about beating the child till she falls and beating her up again. It’s about squeezing her so tight her ribs get damaged. The accused knew what she was capable of. She knew too well the extent of her temper,” said Ajam.
Lache died on January 23, 2012. The State alleges that Kleynhans assaulted the toddler repeatedly. The little girl died on arrival at hospital due to multiple injuries.
In her plea explanation Kleynhans said she was so intoxicated she could not foresee what she was doing by hitting Lache with a belt. She said she had drunk three quarts of Black Label beer, 500ml of vodka and juice and another 500ml of whisky and water.
Ajam said it was convenient for the accused not to remember some details pertaining to the incident.
“She remembers rinsing the beer glass, wiping off the belt and soaking the child’s washing. It’s not that she was totally drunk. It’s convenient that she was now influenced by alcohol This is not one day in the four months that the deceased soiled herself nor was it the one day that the accused consumed alcohol, if she did,” said Ajam.
Kleynhans in her evidence in court said she was made caregiver of the toddler without her consent. She said she did not want to look after the deceased and described the four months she was with the child as a “bad period”.