Sydney Mpolaisang, 44, of Mahikeng, appeared briefly in the Mmabatho Magistrate's Court on charges of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and damage of property.

In another matter, he is also charged with contravening a protection order after the incident with the petrol.

Mpolaisang told Magistrate Seth Mmusi that he would not apply for bail.

Mpolaisang is accused of pouring acid on his girlfriend Lerato Matane, 28, on August 26.

He also allegedly damaged property belonging to her parents.

In the earlier incident, he had allegedly poured petrol on Matane, also of Mahikeng, after he was served with a protection order.

Matane, who was at court yesterday, said she was relieved that he was not released on bail.

She described him as "a quiet and lovely person who was very jealous".

Matane told Sowetan their relationship started to turn sour early this year when Mpolaisang started to beat her up, take her money and harass her at work.

"He would beat me just because I took long to come back from a shopping mall or because I came home late from work," she said.

Matane said after several of these incidents she went to the police for help.

She applied for a protection order, but that night her boyfriend allegedly doused her with petrol as she was walking on the street.

"I ran for help. All my clothes were wet, the petrol smell was all over me," she said yesterday.

Mpolaisang was arrested but released on bail five days later.

He then allegedly went to Matane's room in her absence.

According to Matane, he poured acid on her clothes and shoes and then waited for her to come home.

She said on her arrival a bucket full of acid was poured on her body.

Matane is recovering at home after she spent a month in hospital.

- tshehleb@sowetan.co.za

This article was first published in the printed newspaper on 10 October 2012

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Sat May 25 16:39:44 SAST 2013 ::

Oct 12, 2012

warry

Sidney is a 1.2litre Tata. 1,2, aaahhh ppppsssshhhh over, roll away and woman is hot, muddy and frustrated.
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Oct 12, 2012

Kgaoza606

Speechless, all I can say i that fu#kc our justice system, it has really failed this woman. How can an angry beast like that be released from jails 5 days after such attempted murder... Hope muthafu#kca gets sentenced enough to never return and finish the poor lady... But then again, thanks to our justice system he'll be back in no time...
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Oct 12, 2012

Mrazane

@ Warry hahahaahaaa and a maroon one!

This man asked for leniency for the acid because it was supposedly his first offence......I am lost...the petrol incident doesn't count? Oh yes in his small mind it does not count cos he did not get to light the match....oh ok.

Mara sesi Lerato you are 28 he is 44 what are you doing with such an old man? Of course he will be jealous he knows he is a Tata as Warry puts it and there are some serious V8 engines out there so he is always worried that you may discover one. Next time keep the age gap low.
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Oct 12, 2012

Chichi7

So many women are abused more or even killed after these men are released on bail. how does one pour petrol with obvious intent to set alight and released on bail? Justice my foot.
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Oct 12, 2012

uMnuz

Disgusting person!! The death penalty should be brought back.
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Oct 12, 2012

krazy-b

where the hell do this men get acid from, i've never seen acid sold at shoprite of boxer. and do they buy acid with the intention of pouring it all over they women, i say take the acid and puor it on his old wrinkled balls
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Oct 12, 2012

krazy-b

where the hell do this men get acid from, i've never seen acid sold at shoprite or boxer. and do they buy acid with the intention of pouring it all over their women, i say take the acid and pour it on his old wrinkled balls

excuse my spelling

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Oct 12, 2012

Honeybadger

krazy-b
where the hell do this men get acid from, i've never seen acid sold at shoprite or boxer. and do they buy acid with the intention of pouring it all over their women, i say take the acid and pour it on his old wrinkled balls

excuse my spelling
+======================
Are you serious? maybe the perp should have been as stupid as you are, then this crime would never have taken place.

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Oct 12, 2012

Kon-Tiki

I promise, honey, I will never do this to you again. But you made me do this in the first place. You know, darling how much I love you. You are the only one for me. Like a boss and I am back in your pants in thirteen days time. I did not mean to kill you but you made me do it. I am so sorry. The same sweet story.
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Oct 12, 2012

sh!tFaceSamsung

is tis kind o f man who make a good man like me look terible in te eyes of women & chilren : i respect women : but tis dude deserv nothing less but life sentance wil b gud for him
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