Johannesburg - The man who allegedly disfigured his former girlfriend’s face and body by throwing acid over her in November last year has pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted murder and assault.
Jan Pieterse, 40, appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. He pleaded not guilty on the advice of his Legal Aid SA attorney.
Pieterse appeared dishevelled and made a half-hearted attempt to cover his face with his hands when a photographer took pictures.
No relatives were present.
Alleged victim Ines Antonio, who is undergoing treatment for her burns, said she felt strong enough to testify and was ready to face Pieterse in the dock.
“I want to see him go to jail. My life changed in just a few seconds when he threw the acid at me. Jannie had threatened to do this - and to kill me - but I didn’t believe he would, even though he physically and verbally abused me throughout the time I knew him,” she said.
Pieterse, angered that Antonio would not take him back, allegedly followed her and their 4-year-old daughter while they were walking to the shops in Orange Grove.
He grabbed the child and forced her into his car.
Antonio managed to get the child out, but Pieterse grabbed a container filled with acid from his car boot and threw it in her face, it is alleged. Their daughter sustained minor burns.
Antonio spent months in hospital and has undergone several skin grafts. She faces further surgery and grafts for years to come.
Antonio is hiding in a shelter for abused women.
She met Pieterse five years ago, but after the first few months, the abuse started.
She said she stayed with him for a while, for their daughter’s sake, but when the abuse became too much, she left him.
Antonio got a part-time job in a beauty salon while finishing her matric and was just about to start her final exams when he struck.
She is still puzzled about why the alleged attack happened.
“We had not been together for about two years. But then he started stalking me, following me to school and parking outside. I told him many times I would not go back to him,” she said.
After the attack, Pieterse went on the run. Norwood police, who had many cases against him, failed to look for him.
His photo appeared in The Star and a neighbour recognised him. A private investigator, who had offered to help find him, was contacted and he, together with police, arrested Pieterse at an old-age home in Vereeniging, where his father lives.
While on the run, he allegedly bombarded Antonio with abusive and threatening messages.
The matter has been set down for trial on July 28.
The Star