An Ermelo man has received an effective life sentence after a woman was repeatedly stabbed during a violent vehicle robbery in Wesselton.lets
The Ermelo Regional Court sentenced 34-year-old Sifiso Praisegod Vilakazi, of Thusi Village, following his conviction on charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances, attempted murder, resisting arrest and negligent driving.
The case relates to an attack on a 54-year-old woman on 20 September 2025.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the woman was driving her Ford Ranger in Wesselton, Ermelo, on her way home when Vilakazi opened the driver's door and threatened her with a knife.
He forced her from the vehicle before repeatedly stabbing her on her thighs, wrists, hands and upper arms. He then fled in her vehicle.
The woman sustained severe, life-threatening injuries and spent two weeks in hospital receiving treatment.
Police later traced the stolen Ford Ranger while Vilakazi was travelling towards Amsterdam. The NPA said he failed to stop when instructed by police and attempted to evade arrest.
Police shot one of the vehicle's tyres, after which the vehicle lost control and crashed. Vilakazi was arrested at the scene.
Evidence presented in court
During the trial, Vilakazi pleaded guilty to attempted murder and negligent driving, but denied intending to rob the woman.
State Prosecutor Chané Rothman presented the woman's testimony and a J88 medical report detailing the extent of her injuries. The court found the State's evidence credible and convicted Vilakazi on all counts.
In her victim impact statement, the woman told the court that some of her injuries had still not fully healed and continued to cause severe pain. The injuries had also permanently affected her ability to walk.
She said she believed she was going to die during the attack and continued to receive counselling for the trauma. Her vehicle was also declared a write-off.
The court heard that some of the stab wounds were close to the woman's femoral artery and could have caused fatal blood loss.
Effective life sentence imposed
Vilakazi was sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances, life imprisonment for attempted murder, six months for resisting arrest and four months for negligent driving.
The sentences will run concurrently with the life sentence, resulting in an effective sentence of life imprisonment.
He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
The NPA welcomed the sentence, saying it demonstrated the criminal justice system's commitment to holding perpetrators of serious violent crimes accountable.